Ryan Preece Fined and Docked Points for Intentional Contact with Ty Gibbs at Texas

NASCAR has levied a significant penalty against Ryan Preece, driver of the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford, following an on-track incident with Ty Gibbs, the driver of the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, during Sunday’s Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. Preece has been fined $50,000 and assessed a 25-point deduction from his driver standings. The penalties were issued under Sections 4.3 and 4.4.A of the NASCAR Rule Book, which address actions deemed as "wrecking or spinning another vehicle, whether or not that vehicle is removed from competition as a result."

The incident in question occurred on Lap 101 in Turn 3. NASCAR’s review of the event, including radio communications, determined that Preece intentionally made contact with Gibbs, causing the latter’s vehicle to spin. While Preece initially communicated to his team in real-time that he did not believe he had made contact, subsequent analysis of radio transmissions revealed a pre-meditated sentiment. Prior to the incident, Preece was heard on team radio stating, "All right, when I get to that 54, I’m done with him. Fucking idiot." This statement indicated a clear intention to retaliate against Gibbs.

Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Monday night, Preece addressed the incident, explaining his perspective. He stated that his decision was rooted in a perceived lack of respect on the track and a history of on-track altercations with Gibbs. "There are people that you know you can race with respect around and cut breaks to," Preece commented. "Like I can think of multiple times yesterday that instead of putting another driver in a pretty tough spot, you make the decision not to do that. And I feel like I just grew up racing against people that I learned that lesson a long, long time ago, when I was a lot younger. And sometimes I question if those same lessons are learned by the time you get to Cup."

Preece elaborated on the specific moment of contact, explaining his choice not to yield. "So for me, it was more along the lines of he pretty much was very close to clear getting into (Turn) 3, and I could lift, but I didn’t," he said. "I was right there and I felt like he came down, and I was not going to cut him a break because in the past, him and I have had problems. So I’ve got a little bit of a short fuse with him and I, with how we’re racing. And that was just one of those situations that, could I cut him a break? Probably could have, but I didn’t. And ultimately, I didn’t feel like I hit him. I felt like I stayed right on him, and he got loose, and from there on, unfortunately, he wrecked."

Related News :

• NASCAR Kicks Off 2026 Short Track Season Preparations with Crucial Goodyear Tire Test
• Historic Winter Storm Forces NASCAR’s Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium to Monday Reschedule
• Heartbreak Lingers: Denny Hamlin Struggles to Envision Future After Phoenix Championship Heartbreak
• Phoenix Raceway Roars to Life: Increased Horsepower and Aggressive Strategies Hint at Thrilling NASCAR Cup Series Showdown
• Team Penske Confirms Stability for Ryan Blaney’s Pit Crew Following Strong Martinsville Performance

The penalty has immediate implications for Preece’s championship aspirations. The 25-point deduction causes him to drop one position in the driver standings, from 12th to 13th place. He now sits 38 points above the current cutoff line for the Chase for the Championship, a crucial metric as the season progresses. RFK Racing, Preece’s team, has achieved one win this season with Chris Buescher at Michigan International Speedway, and currently has both its drivers in contention for the playoffs. Preece’s average finish this season prior to this incident was 19.8, with one top-five and three top-ten finishes.

In a separate review, NASCAR also examined an incident on the final lap involving Kyle Busch and John Hunter Nemechek. After thorough inspection, NASCAR determined that there was no action warranting a penalty in that instance. The review concluded that Busch’s steering wheel was pointed left to maintain a straight trajectory, and the contact did not reach the threshold for disciplinary action.

Beyond the Cup Series, penalties were also issued in the Craftsman Truck Series. Layne Riggs, driver of the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports truck, was found to have two unsecured lug nuts during post-race inspection at Texas. This violation results in a $2,500 fine and the suspension of his crew chief, Dylan Cappello.

The Texas Motor Speedway, a 1.5-mile D-shaped oval, has been a fixture on the NASCAR calendar since 1997 and is known for its high speeds and often close racing. The track has undergone several repaves, most recently in 2017, contributing to its challenging and competitive nature. Sunday’s race marked the second visit to Texas for the Cup Series in 2023, with the track also hosting the Truck Series and Xfinity Series.

The penalties underscore NASCAR’s ongoing commitment to enforcing its rules regarding on-track conduct and driver safety. The organization has consistently emphasized the importance of clean racing and penalizing actions deemed detrimental to the sport’s integrity. Preece’s penalty, particularly the point deduction, adds a significant layer of pressure as drivers vie for playoff berths in the latter half of the regular season. The outcome of this incident and its impact on Preece’s season will be closely watched by teams and fans alike.

💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook

Author Profile

rifan muazin

Latest entries

• Nascar CupMay 6, 2026Ryan Preece Fined and Docked Points for Intentional Contact with Ty Gibbs at Texas
• Nascar CupMay 5, 2026Carson Hocevar to Contend for Dirt Late Model Championship Alongside NASCAR Cup Series Aspirations
• Nascar CupMay 5, 2026Joe Gibbs Racing seeks to amend Spire, Gabehart lawsuit on grounds of 2026 success and job titles
• Nascar CupMay 5, 2026Carson Hocevar’s Daring Talladega Triumph: A Celebration Etched in Motorsport Lore