Ryan Preece Drives Through Super Speedway Chaos for First Career Points Win

Kelsey Christman - Staff Writer

Ryan Preece waves to the fans during driver intros at Kansas Speedway. (Riley Ogle, Motorsports Today, 2026)

Daytona Beach, FL- The NASCAR Cup Series returned to Daytona International Speedway to conclude the 2026 Regular Season with the Coke Zero 400. Ross Chastain led the field as he won the pole position, and was joined by Chris Buescher to make up the front row. Riley Herbst was removed from the race due to symptoms appearing from his collision last week. Harrison Burton filled in for the No. 35 Toyota for 23XI Racing. Casey Mears joined Burton in the rear of the field due to unapproved changes. This race hosted a full 40 car field with Gray Gaulding failing to qualify with Garage 66’s open entry. 

The first stage ran clean until the final approach to the green and white checkered flag as a bad push sent Kyler Larson, Ryan Preece, and Chris Buescher spinning through the grass. Due to the timing of the incident, Larson and Preece were still able to receive stage points as they were scored 6th and 8th. Shane Van Gisbergen won the stage. 

Stage Two ran green for the entirety of the race as they reached 22 lead changes within the first two stages. Ryan Blaney was able to make a move on the final turn to pass Chase Elliott to win Stage Two. While under caution, Daniel Suarez and John Hunter Nemechek made contact on pit road which caused Nemechek to spin.

With seven laps to go, Carson Hocevar got a run to battle Ryan Preece for the second position before getting loose. The No. 77 spun before he collided hard into the outside wall. Erik Jones was collected as well as contact with Ty Gibbs by Hocevar.

The race was sent to overtime as Zane Smith led the field to green alongside Preece. Smith made an aggressive block to stop Tyler Reddick’s run on the top line. Smith got sideways to spark the big one after the white flag waved. Ryan Preece was able to continue his run at this front of the field and avoided any damage to secure his first career win and scored the points needed to enter The Chase.