Ryan Preece unaware of Stewart-Haas Racing drivers creating ‘study group’ for race prep

There have been rumors since last season about Stewart-Haas Racing selling charters, and downsizing amid their lack of performance and sponsorship issues. So, it doesn’t help that none of Preece’s teammates thought about talking to him about this study group. It is even more suspect when they all qualify much better than him as well.

Then again, you could argue that Preece is the odd man out, performance-wise anyway. No matter what the future of SHR is, this small piece of drama isn’t a good look or a great sign of where the team is at internally.

Ryan Preece is behind Stewart-Haas Racing teammates

Let’s not get it confused, Ryan Preece is a talented racer. He was a modified champion and has shown a lot of promise in his career. Things just have not lined up for him for one reason or another. Cup Series racing is incredibly competitive, not everyone can run top-10 every week.

This season hasn’t been fantastic for Stewart-Haas Racing. However, it has gone better than I think many expected. Gragson and Briscoe have carried the team in 2024 with a few good performances from Berry. To his credit, Preece scored a top-10 at Martinsville.

There just isn’t enough consistency from the 41 car. Week to week you don’t really know what you’re going to get. It doesn’t help when he qualifies poorly and has to make his way through the field, or goes down a lap early in the race.

Stewart-Haas Racing needs to get things figured out. No matter what the team is going to look like in 2025 or beyond, cohesion and teamwork are a must. Preece being excluded from the study group is not a good look no matter how you cut it.