Ford Racing driver Ryan Preece stopped by the Watkins Glen International infield media center Saturday morning:
RYAN PREECE, No. 60 Mohawk Northeast Inc. Ford Mustang Dark Horse – WHAT’S YOUR REACTION TO THE PENALTY THIS WEEK? “Honestly, I’m a bit surprised. I’m thankful that NASCAR has an appeals process, so I feel like I can be heard and let that process play out.”
WAS THERE A CONVERSATION WITH NASCAR, EXPLAINING ITS POSITION AND YOURS? “I was on my mower, mowing my lawn at about 4:30 p.m. in an area that does not have great signal. I just saw that I had a missed call, so when I made the call back, I found out that I had a penalty. At that point, I’m thankful for RFK, for Chip [Bowers] and everyone there for their support. I’m thankful for having Chris and Brad [Keselowski] as teammates and for them being the great teammates that they are. I’m excited to go through the appeals process. At least I can feel like I can go through it and share my side.”
DID YOU REACH OUT TO TY GIBBS? “There is nothing right now, until after an appeals process.”
WILL YOU BE MORE HESITANT ON THE RADIO MOVING FORWARD IF YOU DO NOT WIN THE APPEAL? “At the beginning of the season, we were encouraged to be ourselves. I’m not going to change being myself, but what I can say is that I’m excited for the appeals process, and I look forward to going through that.”
HOW SIGNIFICANT, FINANCIALLY, IS THIS PENALTY TO YOU? “I’m feeling pretty good about the appeals process and not having to deal with that. But, that is a substantial amount of money.”
— Ford Racing —