Ryan Preece gets 'honest' about the reality of NASCAR's 750HP package

NASCAR: NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Martinsville - Source: Imagn
Ryan Preece - NASCAR: NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Martinsville - Source: Imagn

Ryan Preece shed light on NASCAR's horsepower bump after his experience in the tire test at Bristol Motor Speedway. In an interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Preece shared that drivers wouldn't feel any difference with the 750HP package.

Ad

Since the Next Gen cars are incredibly aero-efficient, NASCAR has tried experimenting with softer tires to induce overtakes. The concept was verified in the playoff race at Bristol, where tires began cording as soon as 30 laps, allowing for more overtakes than the spring Bristol race.

The next step in improving the racing product has been the horsepower bump. Tracks that are road courses or less than 1.5 miles in length will have a horsepower bump to aid overtaking. Going from the baseline of 670hp, 17 tracks have been selected for 750hp.

Ad

In the latest episode of Dale Jr. Download, Ryan Preece spoke with Earnhardt and addressed the same, saying,

"I'll be honest with you 750 horsepower, that little bump, you're not going to feel it initially on stickers. It's really going to take the combination of going softer on tires with the bumping horsepower. Everything we did is going to help for sure. I probably didn't go long enough into the run to feel the horsepower to where I had to, really, you know, manage it so to speak. I did learn that we could cord left side tires at Bristol. Even with only three cars, and with it being 55 degrees, we did have different ones where we could cord right fronts. We could make them last."
Ad
Ad

Ryan Preece also shared that, despite what the wind-tunnel data suggests, he barely feels any difference in downforce.


Ryan Preece shares optimistic take on 2025 season

Ryan Preece almost made the playoffs this year. He was vying for the final transfer spot in the regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway, as he was leading the charge on the front row. However, when a third lane formed beside him, the No.60 driver was swallowed by the draft and got left behind.

Ad

With his playoff hopes dashed, Preece still managed four top-10s in the post-season. In an interview ahead of the South Point 400, the RFK Racing driver shared a positive note on his season, saying,

"A win would have locked us into the Playoffs, but if you take away winning and you're in, I see some things... I think we'd be like 12th or whatever in points, and that's not something to be upset about"

Ryan Preece ended the season 18th on points. His best finish was a third place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He led his most laps at Richmond after his only pole start this season, but finished the race four laps down at 35th.

Get the latest NASCAR All-Star race news, Xfinity Series updates, breaking news, rumors, and today’s top stories with the latest news on NASCAR.

Quick Links

Edited by Vignesh Kanna
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
down arrow icon
More
Manage notifications