During a NASCAR race, driver Ryan Preece experienced significant issues with smoke in the cockpit of his Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, leading to multiple pit stops and eventually a decision to take the car to the garage. The problem was identified as smoking door foam, potentially due to a rocker panel fire. Despite efforts to address the issue, including the use of fire extinguishers, the smoke persisted, forcing Preece to lose three laps in the race. The incident began around Lap 59 and was ongoing by Lap 61 of 400.
61/400 Ryan Preece pitted to address a perceived rocker panel fire; lost three laps Back on track Foam fire They're coming back down pit road and to the garage
The Stewart-Haas cars of Noah Gragson and Chase Briscoe fired off good this run but have both dropped outside the top 10. Ryan Preece has gone to the garage to fix the fire in his car. #NASCAR
Ryan Preece to the garage to fix his fire/smoking door foam.
Ryan Preece pitted under green for the smoke in the cockpit but the team is now going to take the car to the garage
No. 41 team as Preece returns after his Lap 59 pit stop: "If it's still smoking, just take it to the garage." #NASCAR https://t.co/iqiQwjdIdA
.@RyanPreece_ is pitting under green because his cockpit is still smoking. Asked the team to have the fire extinguisher ready and now says it's the door foam that is smoking/catching fire. #NASCAR
"I'm in the car and let me tell you, it's f***ing smoking." Ryan Preece
"It's F-ing smoking," says @RyanPreece_ He's going to pit @StewartHaasRcng @MonsterMile #NASCAR
Ryan Preece told if the smoke gets too bad, he'll have to pit.
Ryan Preece has smoke in the cockpit of his Stewart-Haas Racing Ford