As the Cup Series prepares for practice and qualifying at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Every mistake and every point lost matters. Drivers are stacked against the “Magic Mile’s” unforgiving surface full of dips and grooves that vary at every corner and turn. Precision is key, and during a pre-practice and qualifying press conference, Ryan Preece was candid about what Sunday means and how to keep their heads above water as the regular season winds down.
Ryan Preece didn’t waste time getting to the heart of the weekend. Loudon is home, and he carries that weight differently than most. He talked openly about the two-point battles he’s juggling: the driver standings and the owner standings, and how both can swing sharply at a track that punishes hesitation. Preece said the team came in with a “go for it all” mindset, knowing this is one of the last chances to make a meaningful dent in Shane van Gisbergen’s advantage before the playoff grid locks in.
When asked what a perfect weekend looks like, Preece laid out a simple formula: qualify near the front, collect stage points, and put himself in position to win. He pointed to Ford’s recent short‑track momentum, noting how Austin Cindric’s strong points day last week showed the program is trending in the right direction. Preece stressed how quickly things can flip at Loudon. A driver can sweep both stages and still finish outside the top ten, creating a massive points swing.
If Van Gisbergen has even a small setback, the door opens wider. He referenced Joey Logano’s surge earlier this season a 150‑point climb in six races as proof that nothing is locked until the math says so. Logano, seated beside him, echoed the idea of controlling what’s within reach. He said there’s no point obsessing over the No. 97’s every move; the focus has to stay on maximizing their own day.
The conversation shifted to why Loudon is such a difficult place for drivers making their first Cup start. Preece is one of nineteen who debuted here, and he remembered how challenging it was in his early days with Tommy Baldwin and Premium Motorsports. Loudon’s flat layout demands precision, and the track has changed over the years: the lanes have widened, the grip has moved, and the rhythm is nothing like the single‑groove days of Jeff Burton and Jeff Gordon.
Preece also talked about the modified race he’ll run later in the day. He said it only takes half a lap to get comfortable again, but the American Racer tire has changed qualifying strategy dramatically. Earlier this year at New Smyrna, he qualified well and led laps, but the same adjustments didn’t translate at Loudon, where he ended up 21st. He explained that drivers who run the series regularly pick up small details that make a big difference in speed, and that’s part of the challenge when bouncing between disciplines.
Preparing for the weekend requires two completely different approaches: one for the modified, where the goal is to get the car as low and fast as possible, and one for the Cup car, where qualifying and track position dictate everything. Preece credited his father for giving him a head start on the modified side and said being aggressive on restarts comes naturally at Loudon because he knows where the grip is and where it isn’t.
When asked what fans can expect from the modified race, Preece described drafting, slingshot passes, and constant lead changes — the kind of racing Cup cars rarely produce because of their drag profile. He said modifieds are simply fun to drive, and that it’s nearly impossible for one driver to walk away from the field. He’s been looking forward to the event for weeks and hopes to mix it up with the frontrunners.
The press conference closed with a question from Sarah Talker of YourNews Media and Total Apex Sports, who asked Preece to name his most memorable moment at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Preece paused, acknowledging how difficult it was to choose just one. He remembered moving Ryan Newman out of the way for a modified win and the joking moment afterward when Newman wrapped an arm around his neck.
He also reflected on his first national‑series race here, a performance that went well and cemented the track’s significance in his career. Preece said he’s spent countless hours at Loudon across every stage of his life, and adding a Cup Series win this weekend would be the kind of moment that stays with him forever.
Preece left the media center with a clear understanding of what Loudon demands: execution in qualifying, discipline in stage racing, and the ability to adapt as the track shifts. For him, the stakes are even higher: a home track, a tightening points battle, and a chance to add another chapter to a place that has shaped his career from the beginning.
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