Ryan Preece proclaims his bruised eye from violent Daytona crash ‘don’t hurt’
Ryan Preece suffered a violent crash at the Daytona which flipped his car nearly a dozen times.
After a horrific crash at Daytona, Ryan Preece emerges with bruised eyes but a heart unshaken. His unwavering determination and resilience shine through as he refuses to let pain deter him from his passion. The No. 41 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing looks bruised but doesn’t sound broken.
During the night race at Daytona, Ryan Preece faced a pivotal moment on lap 157. Erik Jones contacted Preece’s car, setting off a chain reaction. Preece’s car spun onto the apron, where aerodynamic forces lifted it off the ground. The vehicle rolled onto its roof and barrel-rolled roughly ten times before finally settling back on its wheels. This dramatic sequence marked a terrifying and unforgettable crash for Preece and spectators alike.
When Ryan Preece removed his sunglasses after the crash, he revealed bloodshot and bruised eyes. His appearance mirrored a fighter’s more than a racer’s, but his resolve remained unshaken. Preece stated, “They aren’t bad… My vision is perfect. They don’t hurt. They look bad to you guys.”
Preece’s unwavering commitment to racing became evident as he addressed the inherent risks in motorsports. Speaking to Fox Sports, he emphasized, “Racing in general… is dangerous.” However, he remained undeterred, asserting he felt perfectly fit to continue racing. He said, “As a racer, why [sit out]?”
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Ryan Preece expressed his desire for improvements in car design
Reflecting on the crash’s dynamics, Preece recounted, “Erik went to push me… I don’t necessarily know how the air got under the car.” He acknowledged the intense, deafening silence as the car went airborne, emphasizing the chaotic, fast-paced nature of such terrifying incidents.
Preece’s experience motivated discussions about safety within NASCAR. He expressed, “I feel like I’m watching a wingless sprint-car wreck,” indicating a desire for improvements in car design to prevent similar incidents. These insights are crucial for enhancing driver safety. He admitted appearing worse than he felt, a testament to the resilience of NASCAR drivers.
Before the crash, Preece’s 2023 season had seen its share of ups and downs, with a career-first pole position at Martinsville being a notable high point. However, the Daytona crash had devastating consequences, eliminating his playoff aspirations. As the motorsport community delves into improving safety measures, Preece’s resilience inspires fans and fellow racers alike.
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Rohit Bhaskar
(727 Articles Published)