In NASCAR, the “choose cone” isn’t just some quirky ritual. It’s a wild, high-stakes gamble that can flip the script in seconds. Right before those intense late-race restarts, drivers roll up to a giant painted V on the track and have to decide: high lane or low lane? Sounds simple, right? Not so fast. One bold call can shoot you straight to the front… or bury you in traffic with no way out.

But here’s the catch! It only works if everything’s clear. When visibility is bad or the markings are off, things get messy. And this weekend, that’s exactly what happened. One big-name Cup driver got totally burned by a ‘choose cone’ debacle, and fans were not having it. Now the internet’s buzzing with hot takes, and folks are wondering: did NASCAR just rip a shot at the All-Star Race away from someone who earned it?

Ryan Preece’s nightmare sparks All-Star Open Race controversy

The All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro was supposed to be Ryan Preece’s shot at glory. Instead, it turned into a lesson in heartbreak and NASCAR bureaucracy. With just a handful of laps left, Preece was in prime position (P2) to race his way into the million-dollar All-Star main event. But then came the choose cone and a moment that would flip his night upside down.

As the field slowed for a late restart, Preece lined up to make his lane choice. The problem? The choose cone marking on the track was nearly invisible from the driver’s seat. With the sun setting on the newly laid rubber, Preece did what any racer would do. He guessed. NASCAR officials, watching from a better vantage point, saw it differently. They ruled that Preece had missed the cone and handed him a brutal penalty: a restart at the tail end of the field.

Preece was stunned. His crew was livid. Even as he tried to plead his case over the radio, the decision stood. The penalty took him from a shot at the All-Star Race to the back of the pack, and there was no recovering in the few laps that remained. After the checkered flag, Preece made his feelings clear.

In a symbolic gesture, he picked up the actual choose cone and delivered it to the frontstretch, laying it down for all to see. It was a move that said, ‘this isn’t right.’ Ironically, track crew members repainted the choose cone on the track after Ryan Preece’s actions. “I think it’s a cone that’s nonexistent. So, if you’re gonna, I don’t know…can’t even see it right now,” Preece said post-race.

The incident left fans scratching their heads and questioning NASCAR’s process. Was it a fair call, or did a Cup Series star get robbed in broad daylight? As the dust settled, social media and the grandstands exploded with outrage.

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Fans erupt on social media over Ryan Preece’s penalty

The penalty handed to Ryan Preece didn’t just frustrate his team. It sent NASCAR fans into a frenzy. Social media and comment sections lit up with outrage and disbelief. Many fans pointed out a perceived double standard. “If one of the Hendrick drivers had done that, they would have kept their spot,” one comment read. The feeling is that big teams and big names get the benefit of the doubt, while underdogs like Preece and RFK Racing pay the price.

The decision to repaint the choose cone after the race only added fuel to the fire. “Now they need to repaint it?!?! I think it’s time for NASCAR to exercise their authority and add 60 to the All-Star Race,” another fan suggested. The repainting points to the fact that there was definitely an issue with the choose cone’s visibility, and NASCAR has indirectly agreed to it, as actions speak louder than words. And if that is the case, well, then Ryan Preece’s penalty stands invalid. “That’s worse than leaving it, lmao now you admit it,” a frustrated fan echoed with the sentiment.

“Ryan should be allowed to let race in this. He was the fastest car in the race,” one fan argued. Well, they aren’t wrong. Before the penalty, Preece was arguably the fastest car in the Open. He made a bold strategy call, taking four tires at halfway. It didn’t pay off immediately, but as the run went on, Preece started slicing through the field. Even after the penalty, he charged from the rear to finish P11, ahead of drivers like Todd Gilliland, Shane van Gisbergen, and Ty Gibbs.

The anger isn’t just about this one call. Fans have complained about inconsistent officiating, questionable penalties, and a feeling that NASCAR isn’t listening. Weekend after weekend. One fan added, “What a joke this series has become, that’s a slap in the face to Preece,” which summed up the mood for many. Will NASCAR address these concerns, or will moments like this continue to drive loyal fans away?