Fast Facts: Ryan Preece

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NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Ryan Preece made history in 2013 when he became the youngest champion in tour history. Learn more about this NASCAR Next member, who has been moonlighting in the Nationwide Series, in this week’s Fast Facts.
  • Ryan Preece was born Oct. 25, 1990 in Berlin, Connecticut. He began racing quarter midgets at age 7, compiling more than 150 wins and numerous championships by the time he reached age 11. He moved up to midgets at age 12, and began racing tour-type modifieds at age 14.
  • Preece moved into the Whelen Modified and Southern Modified Tours in 2007, finishing 19th in his rookie season in the Whelen Modified Tour. In his first career start in NASCAR Modifieds, Preece finished fifth in a family-owned machine at Caraway on the Southern Tour.
  • In 2008, Preece became the youngest driver in Whelen Modified Tour history to win a pole, coming in the prestigious Stafford Spring Sizzler. He went on to win at Martinsville Speedway from the pole later that year. In 2009, he was runner-up for the championship with 10 top five finishes.
  • 2010 found Preece competing full-time on the Whelen Modified circuit as well as at Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut. He finished sixth in points in the Whelen Modified Tour and was runner-up in the SK Modified Division at Stafford. In 2011, Preece raced part-time on the Whelen circuit while competing full-time at both Stafford and Thompson Speedways; Preece won the SK Modified championship at Stafford with 17 top 10 finishes in 18 races, including eight wins.
  • 2012 was a busy year for Preece, as he returned to the Whelen Tour full-time while also competing at Stafford, Thompson and Riverhead on a regular basis. Preece earned two wins and a fourth-place points finish at Stafford, two wins at Riverhead and the Thompson Speedway Modified Division championship on the strength of 10 wins.
  • 2013 was just as busy, as he earned his first Whelen Modified Tour title at an age of 22 years, 11 months and 25 days. Preece also finished second in points at Stafford, third at Thompson and earned three wins and 15 top 10 finishes in 16 starts at Riverhead. He also made his Nationwide Series debut for Tommy Baldwin Racing, finishing 24th.
  • Preece continues to race on the Whelen Modified Tour in 2014 as well as racing at Stafford and Riverhead. Preece also made another Nationwide Series start for TBR, finishing 14th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July.
  • Learn more about Preece at his website, www.ryanpreeceracing.com

Fast Facts: Ryan Preece Fast Facts: Ryan Preece Reviewed by Paula on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 Rating: 5