NASCAR Cup Series: Ryan Preece to drive for JTG Daugherty Racing in 2019

Ryan Preece is set to drive for JTG Daugherty Racing as the replacement for A.J. Allmendinger in the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Ryan Preece, who currently competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series as the driver of the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, is set to replace A.J. Allmendinger at JTG Daugherty Racing in the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season, as expected.

The 27-year-old Hartford, Connecticut native, who has only driven full-time in any one of NASCAR’s top three series when he drove for JD Motorsports in the 2016 season, is set to replace the 36-year-old Los Gatos, California native as the driver of the #47 Chevrolet. It was confirmed on Tuesday that Allmendinger would not be returning to JTG Daugherty Racing next season.

The confirmation of Preece replacing Allmendinger finalizes JTG Daugherty Racing’s lineup for the 2019 season, as Chris Buescher is set to return for his third season behind the wheel of the #37 Chevrolet next year. The team are set to continue to operate as a two-car team.

Here is what Preece had to say about the opportunity to drive full-time in the Cup Series for the first time in his career for JTG Daugherty Racing next year, according to NASCAR.

"“To finally get to this level and earn it, it’s really a short-trackers’ dream. To get here and to race for people with such class, it’s a family-owned team and that’s something I’ve always been a part of. Hopefully we can start out strong and compete for wins.“I’m not saying this is easy. It’s not. There were a lot of nights where I didn’t know what was going to happen. I was going to try though. I was going to try like hell.”"

He also posted this message on Twitter shortly before his move to JTG Daugherty Racing was confirmed.

pic.twitter.com/TS4Hnj2HvD
— Ryan Preece (@RyanPreece_) September 28, 2018

Here is what JTG Daugherty Racing team competition director Ernie Cope had to say about Preece driving for the team in the 2019 season, according to NASCAR.

"“I’m excited. I started watching him at the end of the year at Homestead, and he drove hard. Watching that Bristol race and watching him go after it and I’m like, ‘This guy is something.’ Then you hear his backstory, and that’s the mold I’m looking for.“Every time I’ve called him he’s in the shop.”"

Here is what JTG Daugherty Racing team owner Tad Geschickter had to say about the team signing Preece for the 2019 season, according to NASCAR.

"“We’re really looking forward to having Ryan join our team for the 2019 season. Ryan has an impressive list of accomplishments in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series and is now being given a great opportunity to compete at NASCAR’s highest level full-time. We really believe in him and think he’s a great addition to the team.”"

Preece has competed in five career Cup Series races, as he made five starts in the 2015 season driving for Premium Motorsports. His best finish was a 32nd place finish in the September race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.