Ryan Preece sported a couple of black eyes in the Darlington Raceway garage Saturday, looking like he lost a fight to the schoolyard bully.
Instead, Preece was the big winner, walking away from one of the scariest NASCAR Cup Series crashes in recent memory last weekend at Daytona.
And he’s racing in the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway Sunday, black eyes and all.
As tough as they come. pic.twitter.com/k4hYBp1Rka
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) September 2, 2023
Preece barrel-rolled almost a dozen times in that crash at Daytona last Saturday.
Ryan Preece FLIPS down the backstretch!
He climbs out of the car. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/2R0GbpFLj1
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 27, 2023
A week later, he’s been fully cleared to race. When someone asked why he didn’t consider taking a weekend off, he disagreed with the idea.
“We’re supposed to be tough. It’s OK to be tough,” Preece said. “My father raised me to be the way I am, how tough I am and how I want to be as a person.”
“I feel completely fine, so why stop? I get what you’re saying, it’s OK not to race, but it’s OK to race. And I think that’s what needs to be said here.”
NASCAR fans saluted the 32-year-old driver on his dedication … and toughness. His tough-guy look spurred a few “Fight Club” jokes.
That’s right! Very very thankful he’s only got a couple of shiners after that wild ride.
— Kathleen (@khifan) September 2, 2023
Now we know why he was wearing sunglasses when he issued his statement earlier in the week. 🙏🏻 for you and your family
— akellz (@AKellz8) September 2, 2023
My man got into a straight up bar fight with Daytona
— cody (@P1Crunan) September 2, 2023
SAVAGE 🔥🔥
— Apryl Kathlyne (@SwtHarvickFan4) September 2, 2023
The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club.
— Darío Vásquez (@DarioVasquez) September 2, 2023
Looks like he might have gained a few more fans with that move!!
— Debi 💕 🇺🇸 (@marrimani) September 2, 2023
He looks how my hangover feels right now
— Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet (@FantasyRacingCS) September 2, 2023