Ryan Preece thought of daughter as car flew through air in scary wreck at Daytona 500

A Heart-Stopping Moment: Ryan Preece’s Scary Crash at the Daytona 500

The 67th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday night delivered its fair share of excitement, drama, and, unfortunately, danger. With just five laps left in the race, Ryan Preece found himself in a harrowing situation when his No. 60 car became airborne, flipping through the air in a terrifying wreck. Preece, who was running mid-pack at the time, was caught up in a collision that sent his car soaring into the Florida night. The incident occurred when Christopher Bell’s No. 20 car, which had been involved in a wreck at the top of the race, slammed into Preece’s vehicle, sending it flying. Miraculously, when Preece’s car finally touched down, it flipped upside down before righting itself and slamming into the wall. Despite the intensity of the crash, Preece walked away unharmed, though the ordeal left him shaken and reflective.

Reflecting on Life and Family in the Midst of Chaos

As Preece’s car hung in the air, time seemed to slow down. In those tense moments, his thoughts shifted from the race to what truly matters in life—his family, particularly his young daughter, Rebecca Marie. “Yeah, I don’t know if it’s the diffuser or what that makes these cars like a sheet of plywood when you walk out on a windy day,” Preece told FOX Sports in a post-race interview. “But when the car took off like that, and it got real quiet, all I thought about was my daughter. So, I’m lucky to walk away.” Preece’s words underscored the fragility of life and the risks inherent in professional racing. The wreck served as a stark reminder of how quickly things can go wrong, even for experienced drivers like Preece.

The Wreck: A Closer Look

The severity of the crash was evident from multiple angles, including footage from Erik Jones’ No. 43 car, which was also involved in the spin-out. From Jones’ vantage point, Bell’s car appeared out of nowhere, slamming into Preece’s vehicle with devastating force. The front of Preece’s car immediately lifted into the air, and the windy conditions, which had already caused two delays during the race, only exacerbated the situation. The car’s lightweight design, combined with the speed and impact, made it vulnerable to lifting off the track entirely. This was not Preece’s first airborne incident at Daytona; he had experienced a similar scary moment in 2023. While he has learned to navigate such risks, the feeling never gets easier, and the memory of this incident will linger.

A Call to Action: Safety Concerns in NASCAR

Preece’s harrowing experience has reignited conversations about safety in NASCAR, particularly at Superspeedways like Daytona. Speaking to Frontstretch after the race, Preece expressed his concerns about the current car design. “The one thing I want to say as a father, as a racer, is we keep beating on a door hoping for a different result,” he said. “We know where there’s a problem at Superspeedways. So, I don’t want to be the example of when it finally gets somebody—I don’t want it to be me. I’ve got a two-year-old daughter, and just like a lot of us, we have families.” Preece’s comments highlight the need for NASCAR to address the issue of cars lifting off the track during wrecks. He emphasized that the problem is well-known and that it’s only a matter of time before a serious injury occurs if changes aren’t made.

The Bigger Picture: Racing Safety and Responsibility

Preece’s crash at Daytona serves as a grim reminder of the dangers inherent in professional racing. While fans tune in for the thrill of high-speed competition, drivers like Preece put their lives on the line every time they step into a car. The incident also raises questions about the design of the cars and whether enough is being done to prioritize driver safety. Preece’s experience is a call to action for NASCAR to take a closer look at its safety protocols and car designs, particularly at tracks like Daytona where high speeds and tight racing increase the risk of catastrophic wrecks. As Preece so eloquently put it, the sport cannot afford to wait until a tragedy occurs to make changes.

William Byron’s Victory: A Bittersweet Conclusion

While Preece’s crash dominated much of the conversation, the race itself ended in thrilling fashion. William Byron captured his second consecutive Daytona 500 victory in an overtime lap that left fans on the edge of their seats. Byron’s win was a testament to his skill and determination, but it also served as a reminder of the highs and lows that define racing. As the sport celebrates its winners, it must also confront the risks that come with the territory. Preece’s near-miss and Byron’s triumph together painted a vivid picture of the emotional rollercoaster that is professional racing.