Overview
- During the Wurth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway on May 3, Ryan Preece made a team‑radio remark saying he was “done” with Ty Gibbs and then made contact that sent Gibbs into the outside wall and ended his race.
- NASCAR initially fined Preece $50,000 and docked 25 driver points under Sections 4.3 and 4.4.A of the rule book for wrecking or spinning another vehicle.
- The National Motorsports Appeals Panel upheld the penalty Wednesday, leaving the fine and points deduction in place and noting that Preece’s radio comments were a factor in the decision.
- Panel members Tom DeLoach, Dixon Johnston and Lake Speed said both sides presented competing interpretations of video and SMT telemetry data and that neither side conclusively proved intent, but the panel found the radio remarks persuasive.
- RFK Racing said it is “extremely disappointed” and may seek a final-stage review by the Final Appeals Officer, and the upheld penalty immediately tightens Preece’s playoff margin and fuels debate about consistency in NASCAR discipline.