For Ryan Preece, experiencing a vehicle flip during the Daytona race is unfortunately not a new occurrence, but hopefully, Sunday night marked his last.

With just 15 laps remaining in the Daytona 500, Christopher Bell was clipped while leading, sending him skidding across the track. Race winner William Byron managed to evade him, but Preece, driving the No. 60 Ford, was not as lucky. His car took flight after colliding with Bell, performing what can only be described as a wheelie as it moved toward Turn 3. The car eventually flipped over, skidded down the track, and smashed into the outer wall.

Fortunately, Preece managed to exit the vehicle under his own strength.

After his release from the infield care center, Preece commented, “I’m not sure if it’s the diffuser or something else that makes these cars feel as light as a piece of plywood on a windy day. When the car lifted off and went silent, all I could think about was my daughter. I’m grateful to walk away, but we’re nearing a point where someone might not be so lucky. It’s disappointing that this is how my day ended.”

This Daytona event was meant to signify a fresh start for Preece, who joined RFK Racing’s third entry. The seasoned 34-year-old was eager to turn the page in his NASCAR journey, yet his unfortunate history of being at the wrong place at the wrong time continues to haunt him. Back in the summer of 2023, he experienced a more harrowing incident on the same backstretch while racing for Stewart-Haas Racing, where his car flipped multiple times, causing extensive damage to the track. Earlier in 2023, Preece also faced a severe collision with Kyle Larson at Talladega, which prompted NASCAR to enhance safety measures for the Gen 7 Cup car chassis.

Photos from the Daytona 500