Ryan Preece secures final NASCAR Chase seed after Daytona win

Ryan Preece has secured the 16th and final seed in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase following a victory at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. The win allowed Preece to overcome a season marked by significant challenges, including a $50,000 fine and a 25-point penalty issued by NASCAR following an incident at Texas Motor Speedway where he made contact with Ty Gibbs.

Preece will enter the championship playoffs alongside RFK Racing teammate Chris Buescher, who holds the No. 10 seed. To manage the high-pressure environment of the upcoming 10-race championship campaign, the two teammates have utilized a long-running prank war to maintain levity. Buescher noted the importance of finding moments of fun while balancing the professional responsibilities owed to their team and employees.