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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRKF Racing’s Ryan Preece performs a pit stop at Texas Motor Speedway. Image: James Gilbert\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRKF Racing’s Ryan Preece performs a pit stop at Texas Motor Speedway. Image: James Gilbert\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
Preece hit Joe Gibbs Racing driver Ty Gibbs on Lap 101 of the Wurth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway<\/a>, which sent #54 Toyota Camry hard into the wall \u2013 ending his day early.<\/p>\n The driver of the #60 Ford Mustang foreshadowed his actions, stating over the radio: \u201cAll right, when I get to that #54, I\u2019m done with him. F***ing idiot.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued: \u201cIt\u2019s just, that car is so fast, it f***ing pisses me off. Stupid. I\u2019m going to vent for 15 seconds. I can\u2019t stand when idiots like him have fast race cars that they can do stupid shit and get away with it. End of rant.\u201d<\/p>\n Preece was penalised under Sections 4.3 and 4.4.A of the NASCAR Rule Book which lists \u201cwrecking or spinning another vehicle, whether or not that vehicle is removed from competition as a result\u201d as a punishable offence.<\/p>\n NASCAR vice president of race communications Mike Forde said Preece\u2019s comments made over the radio in the lead-up to the incident were taken into consideration.<\/p>\n On top of the financial sanction, Preece was also deducted 25 points from the drivers\u2019 championship.<\/p>\n RFK Racing contested that Preece hit Gibbs intentionally.<\/p>\n After being sanctioned, the team appealed the decision but was ultimately unsuccessful.<\/p>\n In a statement, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel said there was no conclusive evidence to overturn the decision.<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough not a unanimous decision, NASCAR and RFK Racing presented competing interpretations of common data,\u201d the National Motorsports Appeals Panel said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cNeither side clearly proved their point, but Mr. Preece\u2019s comments showed that he chose to not cut his competitor any breaks.\u201d<\/p>\n Following the decision to uphold the penalties, RFK Racing issued a statement expressing its frustration.<\/p>\n \u201cRFK Racing is extremely disappointed in today\u2019s ruling by the national motorsports appeals panel,\u201d the team said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe stand by Ryan Preece and believe our argument was fair, sound, and without question.<\/p>\n \u201cWe appreciate the forum provided by NASCAR to both provide detailed evidence and defend our stance through thoughtful data and digital evidence.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get back to racing \u2013 See you in Nashville!\u201d<\/p>\n RFK Racing can continue to push its case via the Final Appeals Officer.<\/p>\n Get the latest NASCAR news, stats, and US racing coverage at Speedcafe US<\/a><\/p>\n
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