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Ryan Preece, who has been a Stewart-Haas Racing reserve driver for nearly one year will be getting a big second chance in the NASCAR Cup Series. Taking a full-time opportunity with arguably one of the series' top-five teams, significant performance is expected from the 32 year old driver.
The well experienced driver admitted as much.
"Second Chances don't come often. For most in racing, that chance in Cup never comes. I don't take an inch of that for granted, because the road to this point hasn't been easy. When opportunity didn't knock, I knocked the door down.” Preece said.
“So I will work my ass off, and do whatever it takes, because at some point you’re fed up with the noise. I’ve got one goal, win.” Preece continued.
Hailing from short tracks across the north-east United States, Ryan Preece first set the world on fire driving in modified racing events. Becoming the 2013 Whelen Modified Tour Champion, Preece amassed a total of 25 victories in the series, to date. Also winning in other modified sections, Preece claimed six modified championships. Two came at Thompson Speedway, one at Stafford Speedway, and three at New Smyrna Speedway.
This dominant tenure earned Preece chances in NASCAR's three National Series.
With opportunities in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Tommy Baldwin Racing and JD Motorsports, Preece later saw big opportunities with teams such as Joe Gibbs Racing and JR Motorsports. After earning two wins in the series, the Cup Series called.
For three seasons, Preece raced with the JTG Daugherty Racing organization in the NASCAR Cup Series, earning acceptable finishes in the team's middle tier equipment. This relationship lasted through 2021, when the organization downsized at the end of the season.
In 2021 Preece made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut with David Gilliland Racing, and by the end of the 2022 season he has scored two victories, and in all 11 starts finished within the top-10.
Now, Ryan Preece will have his biggest opportunity yet. Preece will join the race team associated with Kevin Harvick, who's Kevin Harvick Incorporated manages the diver.
Cole Custer will also be receiving a refreshing opportunity. Cole who is the son of SHR Team President Joe Custer, will be moving back to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where the driver was once dominant. Even though winning once in 2020, Custer's time in the NASCAR Cup Series has been lack luster to say the least. Joining the Cup Series at arguably the team's height, Cole Custer has continually under-performed.
Whether insufficient experience or lacking equipment is to blame, Custer will not be booted from the organization. Instead he will return to the Xfinity Series, where the driver has won 10 times. With any luck returning to the Xfinity Series for Custer will show an uptick in performance for the still developing driver. Although, the story for Ryan Preece might not be so clear cut.
With only acquaintances working at the team, and limited sponsorship behind him, the talent that Ryan Preece possesses must show its face in 2023.
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