Ryan Preece will watch Chris Buescher complete 500 laps around a roundabout after narrowly beating him in the final 2026 NASCAR Cup Series standings.
The two RFK Racing teammates wagered on their Chase finishes, agreeing that whoever placed lower would have to drive 500 laps on a public roundabout. Preece secured 15th place overall, finishing 14 points ahead of Buescher, who came in 16th. That means Buescher has to follow through on the unusual penalty.
Preece made it clear he won’t be the one circling the roundabout. “I’m not going to be the guy driving around the roundabout 500 times,” he told reporters during the NASCAR Awards media session on Tuesday. Instead, he plans to occupy the centre of the roundabout with a camera to document Buescher’s progress.
Buescher’s upcoming task won’t be without risks. NASCAR reporter Andrew Kurland joked about whether Preece would call it an “official race” if Buescher reached 250 laps and then got stopped by police, referencing NASCAR’s rule that a race can be declared official after passing the halfway mark in adverse weather. Preece rejected that idea outright. “Oh no, he’s got to do all 500 [laps]. I’m getting a transponder and I’m going to register a race monitor somehow,” he said.
The two drivers are still discussing logistics. Preece mentioned he might scout potential locations with help from a police officer friend to find the best spot and time for the roundabout challenge. He also invited fan suggestions about whether Buescher’s car should be painted in race livery for the event. “That’s a good idea. I don’t know… We’re open to suggestions from the fans,” Preece said.
This bet follows a season of transition for RFK Racing. Brad Keselowski wrapped up his fifth and final season with the team in 2026, stepping away from his roles as driver and car owner. His future remains uncertain, though he reportedly has six options lined up for 2027.
Preece will move from driving the No. 60 to taking over the No. 6 car next season, preserving one of Roush’s historic numbers on the track. Buescher will continue behind the wheel of the No. 17 in what will be a two-car operation. The team’s ownership status and whether it will retain the RFK Racing name or revert to Roush Fenway Racing remains undecided.
During the 2026 season, Preece secured RFK Racing’s only victory, winning the regular-season finale at Daytona. It was his first points-paying win and assured his place in the Chase. He also won the Cook Out Clash exhibition event at Bowman-Gray Stadium earlier in the year.
Now, Preece is preparing for a different kind of race, one that will have Buescher navigating a roundabout hundreds of times as part of a bet sealed by their final standings. The exact date and location of Buescher’s 500-lap challenge have yet to be confirmed.
According to Yahoo Sports.
