March 29, 2024

Preece wins Iowa Speedway's Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250

Ryan Preece believed in himself. He also knew people who believed in him and his dream of competing and winning in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Preece proved it Saturday afternoon in winning the Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway. Preece became the second driver in Iowa history to win from the pole position as he drove the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 Mohawk Northeast Inc. Toyota to the Casey’s General Stores Victory Lane.

“I have to thank Joe Gibbs Racing for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to get the job done here,” Preece said. “Also, to my teammates as we worked together all weekend, shared notes and that’s why our cars were strong all weekend.”

Preece and JGR teammate Kyle Benjamin started on the front row in Iowa Speedway’s final race of the 2017. Preece had to hold off Benjamin in three restarts in the final 10 laps, forcing the race to go to Lap 254 to decide.

The other JGR driver Matt Tifft finished 19th as Preece earned his first career Xfinity win.

“That last restart was getting difficult as tire spin was becoming a big thing. I race short tracks and the high line is the fast line. I knew in two laps its was going to be tough for him (Benjamin) to get me,”Preece said.

Preece’s crew chief Chris Gabehart said he takes special pride in kids like Preece and Benjamin. He said he takes his job to another level with the younger drivers.

“These kids are trying to make it and they only get a couple of shots. I’m proud of my race team for the No. 20. We’re not going to be the weak link for these kids,” Gabehart said. “It’s great to see it work out."

Preece was given two races by Joe Gibbs Racing. The former NASCAR Next driver from Connecticut did not waste his opportunity. He was runner-up to Kyle Busch — a NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series driver — in the Xfinity race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 15 and won Saturday’s race at Iowa.

Preece made headlines in December 2016 when he walked away from a full-time Xfinity Series season with JD Motorsports. The 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion returned to the Modified Tour before learning of the Joe Gibbs Racing team opportunity.

Another non-Xfinity Series regular ran third in the U.S. Cellular 250 Saturday as Brian Scott drove for Richard Childress Racing. Brennan Poole finished fourth and Cole Custer was fifth.

Xfinity Series points leader Elliott Sadler ran 12th and remains atop the driver-points ranks. The JR Motorsports trio of Sadler, William Byron and Justin Allgaier are still 1-2-3 in points. Byron, who won at Iowa in June, finished ninth and Allgaier was 20th.

Preece won Stage 1 and the Final Stage and Allgaier was the Stage 2 winner. Preece led 141 laps and Allgaier led 106 laps.

Saturday’s race wrapped up the 2017 racing season at Iowa Speedway. The Xfinity Series heads to Watkins Glen International in New York for a road-course race on Aug. 5.

More on Saturday's race will be in Monday's Newton Daily News.