It's always so cool to hear a NASCAR driver's perspective going into the final two races of the season, and Ryan Preece was kind enough to call and chat racing. Preece is in his rookie year and sits five points behind his nearest Rookie Of The Year competitor Daniel Hemric. Not only will these two races determine who takes the rookie honors, but there's a champion to be crowned! This weekend, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will head to the desert to ISM Raceway (formerly Phoenix International Raceway) for the Bluegreen Vacations 500, which you can catch at 2:30 Sunday afternoon on NBC. That race will determine the four guys that will race for a championship the following weekend at Homestead Miami Speedway. Martin Truex Jr and Kevin Harvick are locked into the Championship Four, due to their Round of Eight wins at Martinsville and Texas respectively, plus this weekend's race will determine the other two guys to make the Championship Four. Eligible drivers include Kyle Busch and Joey Logano, who are currently above the cut line, plus Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott. Chase is in a must-win situation, but as we've seen this season, anything can happen, so I wouldn't count any of these six guys out until the checkered flag flies at Phoenix!
Here is my chat with Ryan Preece...who clearly doesn't want the season to end!!!
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CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 29: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece poses for a portrait during the NASCAR Production Photo Days at Charlotte Convention Center. Photo Credit: 360023 Chris Graythen/Getty Images