The odds were stacked against Ryan Preece entering Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 at Daytona Int’l Speedway.
The 35-year-old driver was winless in 248 NASCAR Cup Series races and entered the regular-season finale 31 points behind the 16th and final position in the Chase for the championship.
What’s more, Preece’s history at Daytona included multiple violent accidents.
Preece rose to the occasion during an overtime finish to the race, driving his RFK Racing ahead of Daniel Suarez and Tyler Reddick. The No. 60 Ford was out front when an accident behind it, brought the yellow flag and effectively ended the race with Preece the unlikely winner.
Not only did Preece earn his first Cup Series victory, but he claimed the 16th spot in the playoffs in the process.
