Ryan Preece is about to get the biggest opportunity of his NASCAR career.
The 27-year-old Bristol, Conn., native will make at least 10 starts on the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2018, the team announced Wednesday. The 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion has raced in three Xfinity races for Gibbs this season, and is scheduled to start in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday.
“Obviously I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunities that I have already had with JGR this season, and now to be able to increase the number of races next season is a great step in my career,” Preece said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to going out there and make the most out of the opportunity.”
Preece will be part of a rotating lineup in the No. 18 Toyota that includes full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez, JGR said in a press release.
Since stepping away from a full-time ride in Xfinity with JD Motorsports, Preece has impressed in the opportunities he’s been given in a top-flight car.
Preece finished in the top five in each of his three Xfinity starts this season, including a victory at Iowa Speedway on July 29, his first and only Xfinity win. Now he’s looking for an even bigger challenge after proving himself on the Whelen Modified Tour, where he boasts 20 wins, 70 top-fives 96 top-10s.
