NASCAR driver Ryan Preece is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding the penalty he received for an on-track incident with Ty Gibbs at Texas Motor Speedway—at least until the appeals process runs its course.
The No. 60 Ford Mustang driver was hit with a $50,000 fine and a 25-point penalty after NASCAR determined that radio communications suggested intentional retaliation led to Gibbs' crash on Lap 101. The incident stemmed from a heated exchange where Preece was heard venting over the team radio, calling Gibbs an "idiot" and vowing to take action when he caught up to the No. 54 car.
"What a fucking idiot that kid is," Preece said over the radio. "He's so lucky his car is so fucking fast. … Alright, when I get to that 54, I'm done with him." Moments later, Gibbs found himself spinning off Preece's nose, though Preece maintained post-race that he simply didn't get the same break other drivers might have been given.
RFK Racing has officially filed an appeal, pushing back against a penalty that dropped Preece to 13th in the standings—dangerously close to the Chase for the Championship cutline. Preece, who learned of the penalty while mowing his lawn at home, is grateful for his team's backing.
"I'm thankful that NASCAR has an appeals process so I feel like I can be heard and let that process play out," Preece said. "I was on my mower, mowing my lawn at about 4:30 and not very great signal. I just saw that I had a missed call and I made the call back and found out that I had a penalty. I'm thankful for RFK Racing and for Chip (Bowers, president) and everyone for their support. Because, like I said, at least I feel like I can go through it and share my side."
Until the appeal is heard, Preece isn't planning any conversations with Gibbs—and he's not about to change his approach behind the microphone either. "At the beginning of the season, we talked about being ourselves so I'm not going to change being myself," he said. "But what can I say? I'm excited for the appeals process and I look forward to it."
No date has been set yet for the hearing, leaving both drivers in a holding pattern as the season continues to heat up.