Ryan Preece looking to take next step at RFK Racing in 2026

Ryan Preece's 2025 season was a great example of how much the right situation matters in sports. 

Preece, who contested his sixth full-time NASCAR Cup Series season in 2025, put up career-highs in a plethora of statistics: points position (18th), average finish (15.7) and top-10s (14). 

In his first season with RFK Racing, the 35-year-old from Berlin, Conn., proved that he is talented enough to race with the best. 

Even with five seasons of Cup Series racing under his belt, Preece was somewhat of an unknown quantity going into 2025. He'd never driven for a contending team before, having previously been employed by JTG Daugherty Racing (now HYAK Motorsports) and a Stewart-Haas Racing organization that was on its last legs. 

But Preece showed out in 2025, and despite coming up just shy of a playoff berth, showed flashes of greatness. 

Can Ryan Preece take the next step in 2026? 

Preece's career year in 2025 begs the question: how high can he fly in 2026? 

RFK Racing didn't win a race in 2025, but Preece's teammates in Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski were similarly consistent, especially during the second half of the season. Preece's closest call with victory came at Talladega in April, where he was originally the runner-up before being disqualified in post-race inspection. 

With a year under his belt at RFK and cars that are expected to be fast again in 2026, it wouldn't be surprising to see Preece finally get to victory lane at the Cup level.

It also wouldn't be shocking if Preece were to make the postseason, though the 2026 Cup Series playoff format is currently unknown. Even if the playoff field shrinks to 12 or 10 drivers from its current 16, Preece should be in the mix for a playoff berth. 

All signs point to a positive 2026 for Preece, who is finally in the right situation for his budding career to bloom.