Ryan Preece Claims Top Spot for Cook Out 400

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

Ryan Preece delivered when it mattered—he earned the pole position for the NASCAR Cup Series’ Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. With just two races left before the playoff field is set, the timing couldn't have been better for him.

He drove the No. 60 Ford Mustang, racing for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing. His best lap was a blazing 121.381 mph, just slightly ahead of Tyler Reddick by 0.087 seconds.

This marks only the second pole of Preece’s NASCAR career, the first coming back in 2023 at another Virginia short track—Martinsville Speedway. This makes the moment rare and special, giving Preece a fresh burst of momentum.

Why This Pole Matters Big Time
1. Playoff Spot Hangs in the Balance

Right now, Preece trails his teammate Chris Buescher by 34 points, the last spot in the playoff standings. With only two regular-season races left, every special moment counts. A win tomorrow would guarantee Preece a place in the playoffs—no matter what the points sheet says.

2. Victory Breed’s Strategy at Short Tracks

Richmond is a compact, three-quarter-mile short track that rewards drivers who can stay upfront. Being in clean air means fewer distractions, clearer visibility, and better control. As Preece said, “At a place like this, I’d rather be leading. Tomorrow is about getting out front, getting clean air, and setting my pace.”

Top Qualifiers at a Glance

• Here’s how the top contenders lined up for the Cook Out 400:
• Ryan Preece (RFK Racing) – Pole
• Tyler Reddick (23XI Racing)
• A.J. Allmendinger – best career start at Richmond
• Denny Hamlin – hometown favorite
• Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports)

Other key positions:

• Alex Bowman starts 9th
• Chris Buescher (currently holding the final playoff spot) starts 12th
• Austin Dillon begins the race in 11th
• William Byron, the points leader, starts 14th
• Some drivers had rough nights in qualifying:
• Kyle Busch ended up starting 28th

Joey Logano, a former Richmond winner, starts 38th, after failing to turn a lap due to a practice crash

What This Means for His Season

• Boosting Confidence
• A great start fuels morale. Now Preece has momentum heading into the race.
• Chasing the Playoffs
• With a playoff spot so close, every inch counts. A win would seal his qualification.
• Smart Race Chances
• Starting at the front gives him a tactical edge on a challenging track like Richmond.
• Playoff Drama Adds Tension
• Drivers like Reddick, Bowman, and Buescher will be under pressure—they need strong performances to stay in playoff contention.
• What happened: Ryan Preece earned the pole position for the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway.
• Why it matters: With two races left before playoffs, this gives him a big chance to secure his spot.
• Notable starters: Reddick second, Allmendinger third, Hamlin fourth, Elliott fifth.
• Playoff picture: Preece could clinch a playoff berth with a win; Buescher currently holds the last spot.
• Takeaway: Leading early at Richmond gives Preece a chance to shine and make the playoffs.

Ryan Preece