Ryan Preece, the pride of Berlin, Connecticut, is entering the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series season with a renewed sense of purpose. The 33-year-old driver, known for his blue-collar work ethic and deep connection to grassroots racing, recently shared his excitement about balancing family life and his professional career after welcoming his first child, a baby girl, into the world.
Family First: A New Chapter
Preece and his wife, Heather, celebrated the arrival of their daughter just months before the start of the 2025 Cup Series season. The new addition to their family has brought immense joy and a fresh perspective to the Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) driver.
āBecoming a father is something Iāve always looked forward to,ā Preece said during a recent interview. āIt changes how you look at everything. Now, Iām not just racing for myselfāIām racing for my family. Thatās a motivator like no other.ā
Balancing fatherhood with a demanding NASCAR schedule will be no small feat, but Preece is no stranger to hard work. His journey to the Cup Series is a testament to his determination and grit, attributes he plans to pass on to his daughter.
Connecticut Roots Run Deep
Preeceās Connecticut upbringing continues to shape his approach to racing. Growing up competing on local short tracks like the historic Stafford Motor Speedway and Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, Preece honed his craft in the fiercely competitive Modified racing scene. He remains a hometown hero for many fans in New England who have followed his rise to NASCARās top level.
āMy roots in Connecticut racing mean everything to me,ā Preece said. āThatās where I learned to race, to fight for every inch on the track, and to never give up. Itās a mindset thatās stayed with me throughout my career.ā
Preeceās success in Modified racingāmost notably his 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championshipāpaved the way for his entry into NASCARās national series. Despite facing challenges in his early years at the Cup level, Preeceās determination and talent eventually earned him a ride with SHR in the No. 41 Ford Mustang.
Looking Ahead to the New Season
As Preece prepares for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, heās determined to build on the progress he made last year. Driving for a powerhouse organization like Stewart-Haas Racing, Preece is optimistic about the potential of the No. 41 team.
āLast year had its ups and downs, but we learned a lot as a team,ā Preece said. āThis season is about capitalizing on those lessons, running consistently, and putting ourselves in a position to compete for wins.ā
In addition to his personal goals, Preece is also looking forward to the opportunity to showcase his short-track skills at venues like Martinsville, Richmond, and the Bristol night race. His background in Modified racing has always made him a standout on tracks where car control and precision are paramount.
A Season of Growth
With a new baby at home and a fresh season on the horizon, Preece enters 2025 with a renewed sense of determination. For him, racing isnāt just about chasing trophiesāitās about creating a legacy for his family and inspiring the next generation of drivers.
āEvery time I get in that car, I think about all the sacrifices my family made to get me here and all the fans whoāve supported me along the way,ā Preece said. āNow, itās about doing my best not just for them but for my daughter, too. I want her to grow up knowing her dad gave it everything he had.ā
As the green flag approaches for the new season, Ryan Preece will take the wheel with the same determination that has defined his career. With his Connecticut roots grounding him and his family inspiring him, heās ready to make 2025 a season to remember.
