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Ryan Preece delivers ‘choose cone’ to frontstretch after brutal NASCAR All-Star Open penalty

JHby: Jonathan Howard05/18/25Jondean25
Ryan Preece NASCAR All-Star
Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

In the NASCAR All-Star Open race, Ryan Preece lost his P2 track position due to a choose cone violation, a brutal penalty. Today’s NASCAR Whelen Modified race laid down a ton of rubber on the track, and Preece says he couldn’t see the choose cone.

When the No. 60 car came up to the choose “cone” (a painted V on the track where drivers pick inside or outside lane before restarts) late in the race, he had a great position. Carson Hocevar was going to give Ryan Preece the inside lane. NASCAR hit Preece with the penalty and sent him to the rear.

As a result, Preece didn’t make the All-Star Race. He was not very happy afterward. In fact, he went to the infield, grabbed an actual traffic cone, and delivered it to the inside wall of the North Wilkesboro track. Then…track crew members were seen repainting the choose cone on the track.

Speaking to the media after the Open race, Ryan Preece expressed his frustrations further. A passionate racecar driver, for sure.

“I think it’s a cone that’s nonexistent. So, if you’re gonna, I don’t know…can’t even see it right now,” Preece said, via Matt Weaver of Sportsnaut and Sporting News. “A rule is a rule, I understand that, but I mean, at the end of the day I made a mistake. So, just frustrated with the outcome or the decision.”

Ryan Preece went further. He could barely even recall who his sponsor was for this weekend.

“Sorry, I’m just really, really f***ing pissed,” Preece said. “So, I mean that, at least we coulda, a rule is a rule, but…I don’t know.”

Ryan Preece had the fastest car before penalty

Before Ryan Preece suffered the choose penalty, he had arguably the best car in the race. SVG dominated the first 50 laps. Then Carson Hocevar took over after his two-tire pit stop at the halfway point.

Preece was one of those drivers who took four tires at the halfway point. At first, it didn’t pay off. Then it began to work. Preece was able to run lines that others weren’t able to as well.

Even with the penalty, Preece charged from the rear of the field to P11. He did better than drivers like Todd Gilliland, SVG, and Ty Gibbs as well as others. That penalty sunk his chances of making the All-Star Race, though.

This season has been really good for Ryan Preece. He is currently in the playoff picture on points and has had a career season up to this point. It feels like it is a matter of time before it all clicks for the 60 team.