FORT WORTH, Texas–Ryan Preece battled as high as second, in pursuit of his first career NASCAR Cup Series win.
Approaching 50 laps remaining in the Würth 400, Preece and his RFK Racing No. 60 team decided to be aggressive and pit early for the tire advantage. However, an untimely caution from Jesse Love’s crash trapped Preece a lap down during his pit stop. The team argued about their track position as he crossed the start-finish line, as NASCAR Cup Series officials reviewed the call a second time, only to confirm that he would not receive the free pass and would have to take the wave around.
They would restart in 20th and start climbing through the field. The first restart was strong for Preece as he gained a few positions. At the next caution, the opposite effect would poison the team as he shuffled back outside the top 20. Then polesitter Carson Hocevar would make contact and not be able to regain control, as he pinched Preece into the outside wall, crashing toward the inside wall and collecting Cody Ware.
Preece would not return to the race, and shared his thoughts on the collision.
“I think I know who it was… I think it was the 77,” Preece shared with Fox Sports after being checked and released from the infield care center. “It’s alright. He just seems to be proving me right over and over again, so really fast race car. Unlucky on the pit cycle, coming back through and just got ran into the fence by somebody who has no respect for his equipment and any other driver out there. He’ll have his day.”
“These cautions just keep coming!” Ryan Preece, Carson Hocevar and Cody Ware involved in this yellow. #NASCARonFS1pic.twitter.com/lCKInWIoMU
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 4, 2025
Hocevar did admit to fault for the crash that ruined both of their days.
“(I) apologize to him and his guys,” Hocevar said after the race. “Same with my guys, right? Just got in there and started to slide up and he got to the right rear. I was already crossing somebody’s wake and got tight from him (Preece) on my door and the car in front. I’m out of the gas and have wheel. I just didn’t predict to be in that spot to panic or have to change directions.
“I just didn’t predict that he would get there, if I’m being honest.”
Hocevar would finish 24th after earning his first career Cup Series pole. Preece would be credited with 29th.
Read the full article here
