Ryan Preece qualifies for NASCAR Chase after winning Coke Zero Sugar 400
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 3, 2026, 5:53 PM
Last updated Sep 3, 2026
Ryan Preece secured his first career NASCAR Cup Series win at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday at Daytona International Speedway. The RFK Racing driver entered the event trailing Shane van Gisbergen by 31 points for the final spot in the 2026 Chase. Despite a difficult opening stage where he saw Shane van Gisbergen gain ground, Preece climbed through the field to secure the win. The victory propelled Preece into the playoffs, finishing 17 points ahead of Shane van Gisbergen in the standings. Denny Hamlin credited the performance as the best of Preece’s career, noting the inherent volatility of drafting on a superspeedway. Preece will enter the 16th position in the Chase standings.
- •Ryan Preece earned his first career Cup Series win at Daytona International Speedway.
- •The victory overcame a 31-point deficit to claim the final playoff spot.
- •Shane van Gisbergen finished 27th and missed the Chase cutoff by 17 points.
- •Denny Hamlin enters the Chase as the points leader with a 25-point lead.
- •Preece enters the upcoming Chase field in the 16th position.
- 5:53 PMMotorsport.com — Denny Hamlin thinks one aspect of the Chase postseason format is 'bullsh*t'
- 7:38 PMYahoo Sports — Denny Hamlin Praises Ryan Preece For Improbable Chase Comeback
"Ryan Preece secured the final spot in the Chase this past weekend at Daytona in dramatic fashion. Only a win would produce enough points for Preece to jump into the top 16 in the standings and steal him a spot in the postseason, and the No. 60 ran a near-perfect race to do just that. But Preece's triumph mean heartbreak for another driver, as Shane van Gisbergen was bumped out of the top 16 ...Keep reading
"Denny Hamlin praised Ryan Preece for making the Chase. The driver of the No. 60 faced a 31-point deficit heading into Daytona.
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comSep 3, 2026, 5:53 PMDenny Hamlin thinks one aspect of the Chase postseason format is 'bullsh*t'
Ryan Preece secured the final spot in the Chase this past weekend at Daytona in dramatic fashion. Only a win would produce enough points for Preece to jump into the top 16 in the standings and steal him a spot in the postseason, and the No. 60 ran a near-perfect race to do just that. But Preece's triumph mean heartbreak for another driver, as Shane van Gisbergen was bumped out of the top 16 ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsSep 1, 2026, 7:38 PMDenny Hamlin Praises Ryan Preece For Improbable Chase Comeback
Denny Hamlin praised Ryan Preece for making the Chase. The driver of the No. 60 faced a 31-point deficit heading into Daytona.
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