Ryan Preece released from hospital after flip at Daytona

Ryan Preece was released from Halifax Medical Center on Sunday morning and on his way back to North Carolina, according to a press release from Stewart-Haas Racing. Preece went for a violent barrel roll in the closing laps of Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

Traveling down the backstretch at Lap 156, Preece’s No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford was contacted in the rear bumper by Erik Jones. Preece’s car veered left across the nose of teammate Chase Briscoe’s car. The right side of his vehicle lifted off the ground, resulting in a series of tumbles through the grass on the back straightaway.

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After flipping at least 10 times, Preece emerged from his car under his own power and with assistance from the AMR Safety Team. The 32-year-old got on a stretcher and was transported to the infield care center.

Preece was later transported to a local medical facility for further evaluation.

In the early-morning hours of Sunday, Stewart-Haas Racing provided an update on Preece’s condition:

“NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece will remain overnight at Halifax Health Medical Center for continued observation,” the team said in a statement. “The driver of the No. 41 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing is awake, alert and mobile and has been communicating with family and friends. Preece will undergo another evaluation by medical personnel later this morning. An update will be provided in the afternoon.”

Preece posted on social media Saturday night, noting, “if you want to be a race car driver, you better be tough.”