LOUDON, N.H. – Whenever Ryan Preece returns to his New England roots at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, there’s automatically a pep in his step.
Preece made a name for himself on the Whelen Modified Tour while pursuing his NASCAR dream. He finally reached Victory Lane at New Hampshire in 2021, his 25th career start at the “Magic Mile.” One of his favorite memories at his home track came in 2017, when he finished runner-up to the late Kyle Busch while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing in a four-race gamble in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Fast forward nearly a decade and Preece is in desperate need of a career run this weekend in the Granite State. He ranks 50 points below Shane van Gisbergen for the final Chase spot entering Sunday’s Dollar Tree 301.
“I felt like we took a step in the right direction after Iowa [Speedway] for Richmond [Raceway], and I think we’re going to take another step when we come here today,” Preece said on Saturday morning, minutes before turning the 28th quickest single-lap speed in practice. “There’s a lot of things I’m looking forward to.
“I was just in the trailer and Derrick [Finley, crew chief] said, ‘We need a home run right now.’ That’s the plan.”
Preece qualified sixth and had a respectable showing in the making until the No. 60 car was trapped a lap down when he was among several cars that had pitted before a caution flew during the middle of a green-flag pit cycle. He ended the race in 17th position, losing 21 points on The Chase cutline.
With two races remaining in the regular season, Preece finds himself 50 points behind Shane van Gisbergen in the driver standings for the final spot. The pressure is on to chip away at that deficit, making Daytona International Speedway manageable.
“Personally, I feel like no matter what when we go to Daytona, we’re on offense,” he added. “I would much rather be in Chris’ position or somebody who is 60 points above going into Daytona because it’s going to take a Hail Mary or a massive grand slam for someone to go out and knock you out of [The Chase] at that point.
“Realistically, if we’re within 10 to 15 of Shane or Austin going into that race, we without a doubt have a chance.”
Van Gisbergen knows Preece’s background is at shorter venues. He expects the No. 60 Ford to be in the mix come race day. Leaving New Hampshire as close to 50 points ahead – or even padding his point advantage – is mission critical for the No. 97 bunch at New Hampshire.
“I don’t think you are ever comfortable until you’re in there,” van Gisbergen stated. “Fifty would be nice. I don’t want to put a number on it because with the stages and that win bonus and the uncertainty, anything can happen.
“It is a cool feeling knowing that we could get in and it’s a cool pressure to feel.”
Cindric, who entered Richmond squarely on the cutline, had a monstrous 48-point day, his best for a single race in 2026. The No. 2 car was loose in qualifying and will start the worst of the three bubble drivers on Saturday in 26th position, though has a 57-point cushion over Preece enter the home stretch of the regular season.
“I thought we had decent long-run speed,” Cindric. “Kind of the same case as last year. But I think it’s much different from last week as far as the opportunity. It should be an interesting race for us. Unfortunate to be that far behind, but felt like we had a decent car in practice.”
Van Gisbergen will take the green flag from fifth position, his fifth top-five start of the campaign. Preece will line up 18th, which might feel like a single, as his goal was to qualify towards the front of the pack.