DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Brad Keselowski is very used to speaking during a post-win press conference, both as a driver and a team owner.
Videos by FanBuzz
Yet, Saturday night's media session felt special for the 2012 Cup Series champion. He finally had the opportunity to speak about Ryan Preece after the RFK Racing driver won his first career points-paying race.
"I've got four kids, and it reminds me a lot of when they do something you're really proud of. Similar feeling," Keselowski said in response to a question from FanBuzz. "Not that Ryan is a kid. He's definitely not a kid.
"There's a feeling of pride that you helped him get there and do those things. His team there worked really hard. Ryan's worked really hard to put himself in position to have success."
Ryan Preece, who has flipped multiple times at Daytona, entered his post-win press conference playing "Rocket Man" by Elton John. pic.twitter.com/LHJ82NCn7r
— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) August 30, 2026
Keselowski is not someone who has doubted Preece's ability to win a race. In fact, he has been bullish about the Connecticut native since bringing him into the fold in 2025, as well as teammate Chris Buescher.
Keselowski has long believed that he has the right drivers in the lineup, ones who can compete for wins and championships. When they have fallen short of these goals, he hasn't questioned their abilities.
"It's certainly validating, for sure, when they're successful," he said. "We have our different competition meetings, I think I upset some people sometimes. I'll say, 'I don't want to hear anything about the drivers. I know these are the right drivers.'
"They have a history, track record of success. If we're not winning, I don't want to hear about the drivers. I want to hear about the cars, what we're doing to make them faster, the strategy, the pit crew stuff. That's what I want to hear about.
"That's how firmly I believe that we have what it takes with drivers that can make the right moves to win."
But while Preece and the No. 60 team have the support of the team owner, this season has not been easy on the group. Even though they have celebrated two wins.
Preece captured the sleet-affected exhibition Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in February, and he won the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway.
But the weeks between these victories did not proceed smoothly for the New England native. He failed to finish three consecutive races in May and June, and he had other issues at Pocono Raceway and Chicagoland Speedway.
Preece also received a 25-point penalty for wrecking Ty Gibbs at Texas Motor Speedway. RFK Racing appealed the penalty but lost.
Yet, despite these setbacks, he continued to fight for a spot in the Chase. He and his team never gave up, and they closed out the regular season in the best way possible. They scored the all-important win.
You: “Hey Ryan, nice Chase berth”
Me: pic.twitter.com/wUZl0AuQyl
— Ryan Preece (@RyanPreece_) August 30, 2026
"The one thing our 60 team has from top to bottom is a lot of grit," crew chief Derrick Finley said in response to FanBuzz. "I mean, we don't give up. We fight until the bitter end. We don't care if we're running 30th, we're going to run and fight and get a 10th place out of the car.
"We fight. That's just the way we are. I played sports my whole life, played football through college. Obviously as soon as I was out of college, I came out here. I've competed my whole life. It's in my nature.
"The guys around me are the same way, every one of 'em. Ryan is, too, obviously. Ryan has a lot of fight. That's a good thing (smiling)."
Now that the No. 60 team have the secure spot in the Chase, the goal has shifted. This is a group that has no shortage of confidence.
They believe they can go out and win all 10 races making up NASCAR's version of the postseason, starting next weekend at Darlington Raceway.
And sure, others outside of the RFK Racing shop can doubt that team. That's not going to even remotely discourage Preece.
"I like pressure, man. I don't know if you guys have picked up on that yet, but I enjoy it," Preece said. "I'm 100% serious when I say I'm numb to it. I'm a fighter.
"I think you've seen my passion when it comes to racing. I think that goes back to my New England roots. Doesn't matter if it's the Patriots, the Red Sox, the Bruins, we're fighters."
