Ryan Preece Interview Following His Win At The Clash | VICTORY LAP
Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour presented by NASCAR on FOX
Ryan Preece Interview Following His Win At The Clash | VICTORY LAP
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Term
super late model
Super late models are special race cars designed for racing on smaller tracks. They are very fast and have powerful engines, making them exciting to watch.
Concept
modified tour race
A modified tour race is a type of car race where the cars have been specially changed to go faster and handle better. These races usually happen on smaller tracks and are very exciting to watch.
Concept
NASCAR
NASCAR is a type of car racing that takes place on circular tracks. It's famous for fast cars and exciting races, and many people enjoy watching it.
Concept
Smyrna
New Smyrna is a place in Florida where a lot of car races happen. It's known for its speedway where people come to watch and participate in races.
Concept
torque type modified
A torque type modified car is a special kind of race car that is built to have a lot of power and speed. These cars are designed to go fast and handle well during races.
Concept
Daytona
Daytona is a well-known racetrack in Florida where many important car races take place, including the Daytona 500, which is a big deal in NASCAR racing.
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I didn't know what to think.
Everything just kind of went our way.
Some people like to go out and party.
I decided to drive to a racetrack and tinker on race cars.
Well, Ryan Priest, congratulations, man.
That was a wild night.
But in the end, you came out on top.
Just tell me what that night was like and everything that you went through.
Did you expect to be in that position when you got to the end of the night?
Because it was, there were a lot of comers and goers as you went.
Tell us about your evening as you led up to that win.
Yeah.
There was a lot that went on that entire week, between not having heat races, basically changing
the way we all go out for qualifying to thinking that, man, I don't even know if I'm going
to make a race.
Because there's a lot that goes into how these cars get faster and faster, especially
on a quarter mile.
When the more cars go out there, so for us, we were just trying to make a race.
When we did that, I felt like we had a pretty decent car.
We started 18th, and last year, we kind of hit on something, and I felt like throughout
that race, it showed up again.
So we were able to drive up to ninth, but yeah, when it rained, the chaos and everything,
I didn't know what to think, to be honest with you.
I was not like what I saw Kyle Larson where he said, hey, let's just do this.
I was thinking to myself, I don't want to destroy this car in 34 degree rain, because
it could be too cold.
And yeah, everything just kind of went our way.
It seemed like after the first five, 10 laps, and some holes open up, and a few things
happened that I needed to gain some track position.
Because if you're in the first three rows, you can kind of determine your own fate.
If you're in the hornet's nest, all it takes is one bad hit, and everything that you work
for, you lose.
So yeah, I mean, ecstatic for sure.
Well, I think that the best thing that I saw at the end of the night was just that raw
emotion from you, and just how much it means.
Obviously, I know you pretty well, and know how much time and effort and work that
you put into everything to get to this point.
But I mean, could you ever imagine what that felt like climbing out of that car?
And we saw the emotion hit you as you climbed out of that car.
Is that what you expected it to feel like, or was it different than what you expected?
I've only felt that way three times in my life, to be honest with you.
The first time was winning a modified race here at New Sumerna.
The second time was winning a modified race without my father there on my own, so to speak.
And there was that, that well, Iowa, and then there was that night.
And to be honest with you, I felt those emotions when I crossed the line, I was ecstatic.
But when Regan looked me in the eye, and I've known Regan for a long time, and
I could see it in his face, and it kind of just took that barrier or shield that I put up,
and I just couldn't stop it.
So everybody goes through these things where they work so hard for something, and when
you finally accomplish it, I mean, I guess if somebody asked me, hey, would you feel
like there's been a weight lifted off your shoulders after you win your first cup
race?
I'd look at it and say, no, it's just like winning any other race to me.
Oh boy, I was wrong.
And you know, last night when I was driving, all I thought about was, was, yeah, I mean,
it's like, man, I just feel lighter right now.
So what'd you do after the race last night?
I drove straight down to New Sumerna, Kevin.
I know you did.
Yeah, I got, I got about 45 minutes of sleep.
Some people like to go out and party and, you know, have a good time.
I decided to drive to a race track and, yeah, tinker around race cars.
So what's it been like walking around the pit area today for you?
To be honest with you, like when I was going to sign in, there was a lot of people, you
know, I've been coming here since 2006.
So I've known a lot of the, a lot of people that, you know, work the sign in booths
or the owners or just people around here.
And they, you know, I could genuinely see how happy they were for me.
So it's, it's been really cool because, you know, to me, it's kind of like yesterday
I was talking to Burt Myers and, you know, I can see the passion he has for racing
and how he wants to do well and he wants to make that show.
And, you know, you, you're one of those guys, you know?
So they feel like they're, they're right there with you.
Has your wife put soap in your mouth yet for your, your, your potty mouth?
No, no, but I did.
There was a moment where Derek even said to me after the race, when I stopped
talking to him, well, you're talking about the interview, but I'm talking about
in the car, Heather's, Heather's my biggest supporter, but my biggest critic.
And there was a point where I stopped talking and I said to Derek that,
you know, hitting the radio button is a choice.
And, um, yeah, I decided to stop hitting the button and, and all I could think
about was boy, I'm, I'm going to get near full on my way home.
So it was a good thing I won because I just, I got a lot of great things
instead of the, instead of all the things that I said on the radio.
What are you racing this weekend?
Uh, I'm going to race the super late model that I didn't get to race
a couple of months or a month or two ago.
I'm going to race the NASCAR wheel and modify tour race on Saturday here
at new Smyrna and then also I'm going to race the torque type modified on Monday
and Tuesday here at Smyrna.
All right, last question after you went on, on, uh, whatever night it was
Wednesday night at the, at the clash, does that change the expectations
for your team now as you move into this year?
I feel like we've always had the expectations to do it.
It's just, you got to back it up, you need to do it.
So I feel like, you know, the racers in us, if anything, it gives you
that little bit of, like for me anyways, I just, I don't know, you just
feel beat down sometimes.
And as a racer, this sport is like, it's just, it can give you
the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.
And that win came at a time that I really needed it.
You know, I needed it for, for me as a person, but also me as a racer.
And, you know, our team, I feel like they've been grinding to get their,
the cars ready for Daytona.
And to be honest with you, this race just kept getting pushed
further and further and further.
And there's only so many hours to get a car ready for Daytona,
which is the biggest race of the year.
So I feel like the look on their faces, when we won that race, they
could have went straight to the shop and wouldn't have left that place
until the car loaded.
So that it just put that, you know, the desire that I have to win
and that they have to win.
And, you know, I feel like it lit a fire.
So yeah, I think it raises the expectations, but I think it, it
just really created a monster for all of us.
Well, that's great.
And I know how popular this, this win is in the garage.
And, and I personally know how hard you have worked and the sacrifices
that you have made.
I can't tell you how proud I am of you and your accomplishments
and hope that you go out and kick butt all year.
So congratulations on, on winning last night.
Have fun this weekend.
And the work starts on Wednesday again.
That's right.
I appreciate it, Kevin.
And you do know of all people you've seen it all.
So thank you.
Well, you're welcome.
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About this episode
Ryan Preece shares his emotional journey following his victory at The Clash, detailing the challenges he faced throughout the race and the significance of the win. He reflects on the pressure of starting from 18th and the chaotic conditions that unfolded, including rain and track position strategies. Preece opens up about the raw emotions he felt after crossing the finish line and the support from his team and family. He also discusses his upcoming races and how this win has heightened expectations for the season ahead.
Original notes
Ryan Preece joins Kevin Harvick for this week’s ‘Victory Lap’ interview following his emotional win at The Clash, breaking down what the victory means for his career and his team moving forward. Preece walks through how he navigated changing weather conditions, wet tires, and constant restarts to put himself in position to win, while also sharing the mindset that helped him stay patient and confident throughout the race. He opens up about the emotions of reaching Victory Lane, how this moment validates the work behind the scenes, and why this win feels different than any other in his journey. Preece also discusses how the victory changes expectations for the rest of the season and what it signals about his belief in himself and his team heading into Daytona and beyond.
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