NASCAR confirms Ryan Preece penalty verdict after intentional wreck punishment

NASCAR confirms Ryan Preece penalty appeal verdict after intentional wreck punishment

NASCAR has announced that the National Motorsports Appeals Panel has upheld its decision to penalize Ryan Preece for intentionally wrecking one of his Cup Series rivals.

Preece was penalized under Sections 4.3 and 4.4.A of the NASCAR Rule Book following an incident with Joe Gibbs Racing driver Ty Gibbs during the Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this month.

During the race, Preece was deemed to have intentionally wrecked the No. 54 Toyota, and as a result, he was docked 25 points and fined $50,000.

Preece and his team, RFK Racing, quickly announced that they would appeal the decision, but the verdict has not gone their way.

NASCAR TODAY: Denny Hamlin talks Kyle Busch relationship and last conversation with two-time champion

NASCAR penalty against Preece upheld

The decision was announced by NASCAR communications on Wednesday afternoon.

"The National Motorsports Appeals Panel today heard and considered an appeal of a behavioral penalty issued on May 5, 2026 to driver Ryan Preece in the NASCAR Cup Series," a statement read.

"Upon hearing the testimony, the decisions of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel are:

1. That the Appellant violated the Rule(s) set forth in the Penalty Notice.

2. That the Panel affirms and upholds the original Penalty assessed by NASCAR."

Comments from the National Motorsports Appeal Panel confirmed that it had not been a unanimous decision, but explained how they ultimately reached the decision to uphold the punishments.

“Although not a unanimous decision, NASCAR and RFK Racing presented competing interpretations of common data," they said.

"Neither side clearly proved their point, but Mr. Preece’s comments showed that he chose to not cut his competitor any breaks.”