Ryan Preece Embraces Humor Ahead of Daytona Race
Daytona Beach, FL – In a lighthearted response to his recent airborne incidents at Daytona International Speedway, Ryan Preece is turning to humor to manage race day pressures. The driver recently updated his social media profile picture to a Photoshopped image of himself in an astronaut suit, a nod to his two flights off the ground during recent races.
“The internet is just full of really funny memes,” Preece stated, embracing the playful side of his reputation. Ahead of the race, he unveiled a special helmet designed by Greg Stumpff of Off Axis Paint, featuring a Top Gun theme, which he humorously captioned, “3 … 2 … 1 … Liftoff!” This helmet design was approved by team owner Brad Keselowski, who found the concept amusing.
Preece’s two notable airborne incidents at Daytona occurred in the summer of 2023 and during the Daytona 500 in February. In the latter, Preece’s car was launched off another vehicle and slid on its roof before righting itself. Despite the harrowing experiences, Preece has maintained a resilient attitude. “For me as a race car driver, I’m pretty numb to big accidents like that because it’s part of it,” he remarked on dealing with the inherent risks of racing.
He acknowledges the potential for wrecks at any track but emphasizes a focus on making smart race decisions. “Sometimes it goes differently, and sometimes it doesn’t, and that’s just the game we play,” he stated.
As he prepares for the upcoming race, Preece hopes that the memes circulating after this event will celebrate a successful performance rather than recalling past mishaps. When asked what his racing call sign might be, he mused, “Air Preece. We’ll go with that.”
As Preece takes the track, his ability to blend humor with the intensity of motorsports showcases his unique approach to navigating the challenges faced by drivers at the iconic Daytona.
