A professional NASCAR driver’s life is a relentless circuit of high-speed competition, but for Ryan Preece, the greatest victories are shared off the track with his wife, Heather Preece. Beginning their relationship since their grassroots days, their connection truly blossomed when they were direct rivals in the SK Modified Series in 2011, a season in which Ryan clinched the championship and Heather was named the Series’ Rookie of the Year. As their relationship bloomed further, Ryan and Heather began envisioning a future that extended beyond racing.

On 24th April, 2025, Ryan Preece announced via Instagram that he and his wife Heather were expecting their second child (a baby boy). In that post, he included a photo of their daughter, Rebecca Marie, smiling while perched on a ledge, and wrote, “Looking forward to Rebecca having a baby brother ♥️.” The announcement resonated within his circle, as his racing team commented, “The world is getting a mini Ryan Preece — LEGGO!” This family story has now reached its beautiful climax with the birth of their second child.

A joyful Preece revealed with a heartwarming social media post that encapsulated their newfound completeness, writing on X, “Rebecca Marie & Bentley Ryan. Our world is complete! ❤️.” The birth of their son, Bentley Ryan Preece, was announced on Friday morning, October 10, 2025, ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series playoff weekend in Las Vegas.

The fact that the birth occurred on a Thursday, before Ryan had to travel for the Sunday race, was a small but crucial victory in the perpetual logistical race of a driver’s life.

Bentley joined his big sister, Rebecca Marie Preece, who was born on August 7, 2023, a day that truly altered the Preece household. She arrived a day after the scheduled race at Michigan had been postponed due to rain, a twist of fate that almost caused the Cup driver to miss her arrival entirely.

Her arrival at 5:30 AM was a life-changing moment that Ryan often references, noting how the perceptive instinct of fatherhood is a constant thought, particularly during dangerous wrecks, such as his alarming flip at Daytona in 2023.

Now, a family of 4, the Preeces represent a powerful example of balancing a high-stakes professional career with a rich personal life. And fans have been a constant source of support and encouragement throughout his career.

Fans flood social media with love and affection for the Preece family

One fan playfully quipped, “Rookie Ace in a Bentley. Perfect title for an old school hollywood comedy,” and the sarcasm cuts deep once you line up the names. The quip blends the unique names of Austin Dillon‘s son Ace, Tyler Reddick’s son Rookie, and Ryan Preece’s newborn Bentley Ryan into a tongue-in-cheek movie title, all while subtly nodding to the oddball but charming naming trends among modern NASCAR families.

Another fan couldn’t help jab wryly at the trend, joking, “Does Samantha got like a personal psychic who’s telling all the nascar folks to give absurd names to their babies.” The sarcasm is evident by examples of Kyle Busch and his wife Samantha’s own children, Brexton Locke, and Lennix Key, while other instances, like Ty Dillon’s daughter, Oakley Ray, and Tyler Reddick’s older son, Beau, create a cumulative perception of absurd names in the community.

While others expressed joy at the happy news, saying, “Add another driver to the list of normal names!!” Fans can’t get enough of drivers’ kids being named absurdly. Similarly, Clint Bowyer‘s son is Cash Aaron, and his daughter is Presley Elizabeth, names that, while popular in some regions, carry a distinct celebrity flair.

This backdrop of uncommon names like Keelan Harvick or Arlo Alistair Banjo Cassill makes Preece’s choices stand out refreshingly, as another fan added to the sentiment, saying, “Compared to Rookie and Ace, I’ll take it.”

Another fan jokingly added, ““Mum why is Dad flipping through the air right now” – Bentley and Rebecca in five years.” The sarcasm is rooted in the fact that Ryan Preece has been involved in two extraordinary, violent, airborne flips on that track in a short span.

First, the infamous August 2023 crash, where his car barreled and rolled nearly a dozen times down the backstretch grass. And second, similarly alarming airborne flip in the 2025 Daytona 500, blending dark humor with genuine concern for the Preece family’s well-being.

As Bentley and Rebecca grow up, one thing is clear: the Preece family’s love, laughter, and racing legacy will keep fans smiling for years to come.