Ryan Preece Leads Final Practice Ahead of Daytona 500

In the final practice session for the 68th running of the Daytona 500, RFK Racing driver Ryan Preece recorded the fastest lap at 192.819 mph, leading a strong performance from Ford drivers. Preece's teammates, Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski, followed closely in second and third place, clocking in at 192.786 mph and 192.583 mph, respectively. The top five was rounded out by Team Penske's Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano, who achieved speeds of 192.480 mph and 192.472 mph.

Preece, RFK Racing Fords top final practice for Daytona 500Ryan Preece leads final Daytona 500 practice, despite handling concerns

The practice session, which took place on Saturday, saw only 18 of the 41 starters take to the track. Notably, Jimmie Johnson was the only Toyota driver to participate, opting to avoid the draft during the session. Other drivers, such as Casey Mears, who recently secured a spot in the race, also made their way onto the track after completing repairs.

Ryan Preece leads final Daytona 500 practice, despite handling concerns

Ryan Preece expressed a mix of confidence and caution regarding the upcoming race. Despite his top lap time, he noted that he was not entirely satisfied with the handling of his car, which had undergone repairs after contact during the Duel qualifying race. Preece remarked, "I know they're going to do everything they possibly can... It's important when you're that fifth, fourth car to keep those guys racked to make speed." He also highlighted concerns about handling conditions during the race, indicating that it might be more challenging than anticipated.

Ryan Preece leads final Daytona 500 practice, despite handling concerns

Chris Buescher echoed the sentiment of his teammate, stating, "It’s nice to take these Ford Mustangs and put them in a line and be able to put some speed up on the board." This collective confidence among Ford drivers suggests a strong strategy heading into the race.

Preece, RFK Racing Fords top final practice for Daytona 500

The practice session was characterized by calm conditions, allowing drivers to focus on drafting and speed. The RFK Racing team demonstrated a solid performance, with all three of their cars finishing in the top three positions. Following Preece, Buescher, and Keselowski, Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano from Team Penske also showcased the competitive edge of Ford vehicles.

Preece, RFK Racing Fords top final practice for Daytona 500

The next competitive event for the NASCAR Cup Series will be the Daytona 500, scheduled for Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET. The performance during the final practice session sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting race, with Ford drivers showing strong potential to dominate the event.

Preece, RFK Racing Fords top final practice for Daytona 500