Home / Sports / Preece Vows 'Heavyweight Match' for Chase Spot
Preece Vows 'Heavyweight Match' for Chase Spot
25 Aug
Summary
- Ryan Preece trails Shane van Gisbergen by 31 points for final Chase spot.
- Daytona's race introduces a new rules package with no practice.
- Preece believes unpredictable conditions favor both him and van Gisbergen.
The battle for the final NASCAR Cup Series Chase spot is heating up between Ryan Preece and Shane van Gisbergen. As the season's final regular-race approaches at Daytona this Saturday night, Preece is positioned just outside the cutoff, trailing van Gisbergen by 31 points.
Daytona presents a unique challenge this year, introducing a new rules package with no prior practice sessions and only a single qualifying run. This unpredictability, however, is something Preece believes will intensify the competition. He noted that both he and van Gisbergen tend to excel in uncertain circumstances, anticipating a significant showdown for the coveted Chase position.
Preece, who started the 2026 season with a win in an exhibition race, has accumulated five top-10 finishes in points-paying events, averaging a 17.5 finish. A 25-point deduction from a penalty at Texas earlier this season has impacted his standing. Van Gisbergen, meanwhile, has secured two wins on road courses and has shown improvement on oval tracks.
