“>In a dramatic turn of events during the closing laps of the 2025 Daytona 500, Ryan Preece’s car went airborne in a shocking crash that left fans on the edge of their seats.
After facing extensive weather delays, the 67th edition of the Daytona 500 concluded hours later, with William Byron celebrating victory for the second consecutive year.
One of the most talked-about moments from this year’s race was the terrifying incident involving Ryan Preece. As the drivers battled closely, Christopher Bell received a hefty boost from Cole Custer, which caused Bell’s No. 20 Toyota to veer right into the outer wall.
In a cascade of events, Bell’s Toyota collided with Preece’s No. 60 Ford, which was racing alongside Erik Jones’ No. 43. The contact caused Preece’s car to lift off the ground, resulting in a spectacular and frightening flip:
Another look at Ryan Preece’s scary wreck. #NASCAR #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/nQ2RcqGUNY
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 17, 2025
In the FOX Sports commentary booth, former drivers Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick expressed their astonishment at witnessing the airborne crash.
Miraculously, Preece managed to walk away from the wreck and was later released from the medical center following a brief evaluation.
Another perspective of the incident was captured from Jones’ No. 43:
This view of Ryan Preece’s car flipping. Goodness. pic.twitter.com/o1dFgsUBuz
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 17, 2025
Following his release from the care center, Preece shared his thoughts, stating that during the chaos, “…it got real quiet and all I thought about was my daughter.”
“When the car took off like that, it got real quiet and all I thought about was my daughter.”
–@RyanPreece_ after a scary moment where his car flipped in the final laps of the #Daytona500 pic.twitter.com/4xGrNY22jX
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 17, 2025
This isn’t the first time Preece has faced a harrowing moment at Daytona International Speedway. During the 2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400, he experienced another terrifying airborne crash, flipping ten times before landing in the infield:
That incident prompted NASCAR, the overseer of the Daytona track, to launch a safety review. The results of that review led to significant safety improvements, including paving the backstretch grass and modifying previous curbing and concrete pads.
Despite the improvements, Preece acknowledged the gravity of the situation, noting that this was yet another alarming incident, one he was fortunate to survive.
“I’m lucky to walk away, but we’re getting really close to somebody not being able to, so I’m very grateful,” the driver remarked.
