Ryan Preece hopes for a solution to airborne wrecks "sooner than later"
As part of a longer, exclusive interview with RFK Racing's Ryan Preece, Motorsport.com wanted to get his thoughts on the ever-present threat of airborne accidents in NASCAR. Unfortunately, he has some first-hand experience with that, especially with the current generation of car.
Preece barrel-rolled in a terrifying accident at Daytona in 2023 in a violent airborne crash that lasted eight seconds. Despite suffering some bloodshot eyes, he was able to walk away from the wreckage. NASCAR and Daytona reacted quickly, removing grass from the backstretch at the famed speedway as they believed it played a role in the severity of the incident.
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Unfortunately, it happened to Preece once again late in the 2025 Daytona 500. While running in the middle of the pack, he was unable to avoid a spinning Christopher Bell, who suddenly crossed his path. The impact sent Preece's car upwards, performing a bizarre wheelie down the backstretch before going completely over at the entrance of Turn 3.
Preece
Preece
James Gilbert / Getty Images
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Preece continued, saying, "I understand the risks. We all understand the risks. If you make a bad decision, there's repercussions, but there's also — when you're in those types of situations where you're almost helpless, even based off of a decision that you didn't necessarily make, you don't want to see that. Racing is dangerous and I feel like a lot of fans say that and it's easy to say, but I think we all need to remember that there's a person inside that race car so you don't want to see them get hurt because of a situation somebody else made."
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You can see the read of the rest of Motorsport.com's exclusive interview on Friday where Preece discusses his strong start with RFK, moments of doubt in his career, expectations for Talladega, and his unique mindset as he chases his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory.
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To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
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Fox News
17 minutes ago
- Fox News
2025 NASCAR odds: Shane van Gisbergen opens as favorite for Mexico
The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Mexico this weekend for the Viva Mexico 250. And when it comes to the odds, bettors can dive into that action and place wagers on which driver they think has what it takes to win outright. Last week at Michigan, Denny Hamlin closed as the favorite at +550 and ultimately, the driver of the No. 11 car got into victory lane. This week, Shane van Gisbergen has opened as the clear favorite at +330, while Mexican-born Daniel Suarez sits at +1400. Who takes the checkered flag this weekend as the Cup Series races in Mexico for the very first time? Here are the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of June 11. Shane van Gisbergen: +330 (bet $10 to win $43 total)Christopher Bell: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)William Byron: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)Tyler Reddick: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)Kyle Larson: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)Chase Elliott: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)AJ Allmendinger: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)Daniel Suarez: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)Kyle Busch: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)Chris Buescher: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total) Ross Chastain: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)Michael McDowell: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)Alex Bowman: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)Carson Hocevar: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)Chase Briscoe: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Ty Gibbs: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Austin Cindric: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)Denny Hamlin: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)Ryan Blaney: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)Joey Logano: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)Bubba Wallace: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)Brad Keselowski: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)Todd Gilliland: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)Justin Haley: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)Austin Dillon: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)Ryan Preece: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)Noah Gragson: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)Cole Custer: +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,510 total)Zane Smith: +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,510 total)Josh Berry: +30000 (bet $10 to win $3,010 total)Erik Jones: +30000 (bet $10 to win $3,010 total)Riley Herbst: +30000 (bet $10 to win $3,010 total)John Hunter Nemechek: +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010 total)Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010 total)Cody Ware: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)Ty Dillon: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)Katherine Legge: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total) Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!


Fox News
17 minutes ago
- Fox News
NASCAR race in Mexico City worth extra effort to grow the sport
Sometimes it takes a heavy lift to move the needle. And that's exactly what this weekend's NASCAR race at Mexico will be. A heavy lift. That moves the needle. The Cup Series races in Mexico City this weekend, and that is awesome. Yes, there certainly is a group of the NASCAR fan base and the industry as a whole that doesn't believe NASCAR should race in Mexico City. It is a long and arduous process to move race haulers across the border and deep into the country. The United States-Mexico relations are not at their friendliest, especially in light of the protests in Los Angeles. And there are tracks in the United States that want races. So why go battle those logistical and political challenges to race in Mexico City? The growth of the sport depends on it. Going to a city with more than 20 million people exposes the sport to people who might have never seen it in person. It provides exposure at the highest level and megastars of the sport in a country where NASCAR already has a regional series. It shows sponsors and those interested in investing in the sport that NASCAR is willing to take it globally, increasing the pool of potential sponsors and drivers. Increasing the dollars and potential talent in the sport. Racing at Mexico City will be an event, much like racing at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum or the streets of Chicago. Are there security concerns? Sure. Just as there were when NASCAR raced in Chicago and other places. For context, an off-duty cop was shot in an attempted robbery of the Kansas Speedway vault in 2006. Are there other tracks in the United States where NASCAR could race? Sure. But the tracks that could grow the sport to a new fan base are few and far between. The ones that could generate excitement among the NASCAR faithful — think Bowman-Gray and Rockingham — both held races this year. Albeit, those races were the exhibition clash at Bowman-Gray and an Xfinity-truck doubleheader at Rockingham. Are there some sponsors where racing in Mexico doesn't reach their customer? Sure, at least if they don't do business in Mexico. But part of racing in Mexico is about generating excitement about Mexicans who live in the United States for the NASCAR product. That should also increase the exposure of current sponsors. Are there logistical hurdles? Sure. Hauler manifests are complicated. NASCAR is chartering planes to fly much of the industry as a whole in order to make sure all the teams get there with no safety or logistical issues. So that sounds a lot for a NASCAR race. And it is. But sometimes it takes a heavy lift to move the needle. Many of the same concerns were talked about around the Chicago race and so far, those have been relatively smooth — except for the weather. I went to the NASCAR Xfinity races in Mexico from 2005 through 2008. They were fun. I loved going to the country and experiencing the culture. I also enjoy a trip to Watkins Glen or the Darlington area or Las Vegas. They are all different and all have unique aspects that fans can appreciate. Same with Mexico City. For those who love NASCAR and contend that it has the best racing in the world, then what better way to prove that than taking it across the border? What better way to expose the drivers? A Netflix Series won't work for everyone, and seeing the real thing on someone's home soil can potentially do wonders. Speaking of that, this puts NASCAR at the same venue as Formula 1. Hopefully INDYCAR goes there next year, too. So for all those who want to spew insults about our neighbors and want to hate, go ahead. There's nothing stopping you. But sometimes you have to do something out of the comfort zone — out of the norm — to grow the sport. This is one of those times. Will it work? There's never a guarantee. But it's certainly worth the effort to try. Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
All majors should ban cell phones like Augusta National
OAKMONT, Pa. — Given the opportunity, we humans will default to our lowest possible level. Oh sure, we talk a good game about wanting to live our lives with higher purpose, but with the slightest temptation, we slide into the pit, abandoning all pretense of discipline in favor of instant gratification. I'm talking, of course, about using cell phones at golf tournaments. It's a crime against sport and nature, and it's my considered view that phones should be banned from all majors. No exceptions. Advertisement As you surely know, Augusta National does not permit cell phones on its grounds during the Masters. Anyone caught with a phone will be escorted from the property and lose all privileges to ever attend the Masters again. You may say that banning someone for life from one of the world's elite tournaments for the crime of using a cell phone is the very definition of 'punishment not fitting the crime.' And I would agree with you. I think offenders ought to lose a finger or two, as well. Plus, the prohibition ought to extend to golf's other marquee events. You heard me. U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Open Championship … all of y'all, get the cell phones outside the gates. Imagine a cell phone-free Pebble Beach, a silent St. Andrews. Imagine a second, third and fourth tournament each year without a thousand people all holding their phones high in the air on every tee box. It's golf the way it used to be, and it's the way golf ought to be again. Advertisement If you question the purpose of a no-cell-phone policy, well, clearly, you have not been in a place that forbids cell phones. Hell, Augusta National might be the last holdout in our always-connected world, and it's high time the other three majors followed the Masters' example. If they're not going to lower ticket or food prices , at least they can give us this. Fans look on — and record on their phones — as Jon Rahm tees off from the 15th tee during a practice round prior to the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club. () (Warren Little via Getty Images) The players are at least partially on board. Last year at Augusta, Jordan Spieth, in his typically Spiethian way, wandered over, under, around and through the topic of cell phones at the Masters. On one hand, he understood that cell phones — both the ability to remain connected and the ability to share moments from the golf course — help grow the game exponentially. But he landed on the side of 'no phones,' at least for one week. "What's really cool about it is you just feel that everyone's very, very present,' he said. 'They're not focused on if they got the right shot that they're sending.' Advertisement That's exactly it. Everyone with a cell phone at a major spends a not-insignificant amount of time making sure that people know they're at a major … either through direct contact or through the judicious application of Jealous…? photos and video on Instagram or TikTok. In their rush to remain connected with the outside world, they completely miss out on the transcendence of engaging with a golf tournament … which might just be the most spiritual of all sporting events. An afternoon walking a beautiful golf course will do wonders for your soul … and will strengthen the bond of whoever's lucky enough to walk with you. There's another element of the gallery that the cell phones affect: applause. 'The art of clapping is gone,' Tiger Woods said several years ago . 'Everyone's holding a cell phone,' On Wednesday at Oakmont, Sam Burns and Scottie Scheffler walked up the 18th as a hundred phones tracked their every movement. Will any of those videos ever get watched again? Doubtful. For the purposes of a control group, I sought out people in the Oakmont gallery wearing Masters gear. It didn't take long; finding Masters gear at a golf tournament is about as tough as finding snow at a ski resort. I met a lovely couple from right here in Oakmont named Ben and Hannah Wolfe — Hannah was sporting a pink Masters cap — and they immediately agreed with my thesis. At Augusta National, fans can actually clap because their hands aren't busy holding a cell phone. () (Jamie Squire via Getty Images) 'When we were up at the tee, we had to look through all these people's cell phones to even see anything,' Ben said. 'You don't have to worry about that at the Masters.' Advertisement 'It's like going back in time there,' Hannah added. 'You can log back into the world.' She allowed that it was nice having a cell for photos and for keeping in touch with the babysitter, but aside from that, the disconnected environment is the preferable one. Of course, some people miss the point entirely. Soon after chatting with Hannah and Ben, I ended up walking behind a guy who was FaceTiming and describing to the poor unfortunate soul on the other end of the call exactly how he was going to play the 18th hole, and what a magnificent score he would surely record on his card. If you are instinctively cringing and wanting to throw this cat's phone onto the highway that runs through Oakmont, well, that is the proper reaction. Make the right call, majors. Join your azalea-and-pimento-laden brethren. Get rid of cell phones and let people reconnect with the game, each other and themselves. It's the right thing to do, and we'll be sure to thank you … once we get back to our phones.