Only SVG’s mammoth win at Watkins Glens will have more media traction than Ryan Preeece’s penalty at Texas the weekend before. Preece was penalised for what NASCAR referred to as intentional contact on Ty Gibbs. 

While another race has come and gone, RFK Racing’s decision to support their No. 60 driver and appeal the penalty has made it clear that until the National Motorsports Appeal Panel hears RFK and Ryan Preece’s side of the incident, this news cycle isn’t stopping.

Even FOX broadcasters had an extensive discussion about the penalty ahead of the race at Watkins Glen. Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray, and Clint Bowyer got into it, and each expressed their opinions. 

Jamie McMurray kicked off the discussion, saying, "I think they got this wrong in this case. I hope Preece is able to win the appeal.” While he sided with Preece, he also said, "The key here is don't key the radio. Don’t say you’re gon a commit the crime prior to doing it."

McMurray referred to Preece's rant on the radio several laps before the incident on lap 102 in Texas. Preece said, "I can’t stand when idiots like him have fast race cars, and they can do stupid s*** and get away with it. When I get to that #54, I’m done with him.”

NASCAR used this as the primary reason for the 25-point and $50,000 penalty on the No. 60 RFK Racing driver. Compared to McMurray, Clint Bowyer was a bit more critical of the situation and said, "If you do talk about it and you meant to do it, own up to it and take the fine."

Kevin Harvick, who has been on both sides, as someone penalized by NASCAR, felt Preece's penalty was deserved because of his intent over team radio. “It all comes down to the radio and what you say. When you talk and have intent, then it puts them (NASCAR) in a spot. They don’t want to penalize you."

The Kyle Busch debate and Dale Jr's surprised reaction

In the same race in Texas, Kyle Busch slammed his car into the door of John Hunter Nemechek, which sent the Legacy Motor Club driver into the wall. Several voices across NASCAR voiced their opinions on that being a more aggressive and seemingly intentional move. 

Dale Jr said, "I honestly don’t agree with this one (Preece penalty). I didn’t think either one would get penalized. I think if you're not going to penalize Kyle, which I didn’t think they would, I don't think you can penalize Preece.”

Dale Jr also felt that the penalty was more about the radio message than the actual incident, which seems like a much softer touch than the one Busch had with John Hunter Nemechek.

In the aforementioned interaction on FOX, Jamie McMurray seemingly referenced the Busch incident to explain why Preece's penalty wasn't warranted. "I don’t think it warranted a fine. A right rear hook is different; this is not the same wreck that we’ve seen a lot of, so that’s why I don’t think it warrants a fine."

Even Preece said that he was surprised by the penalty, which, financially, was pretty hefty. But he also said that it’s a relief that he is getting the support from RFK and that there is a panel to hear his side. 

Where this penalty really hits is the championship. Preece was 12th in the standings before the penalty and dropped to 13th. But the 25 points look worse in the context of the Chase, as it meant he lost a chunk of points in the longer battle.

Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!

Written by

Debrup Chaudhuri

Edited by

Yask Kotak