**TLDR** — The verdict is in, and NASCAR isn't going to like it. A commanding 42% of voters say NASCAR made the wrong call penalizing Ryan Preece, while another 41% pointed straight at the Kyle Busch double standard — meaning a staggering 83% of fans believe the sanctioning body fumbled this one. Only 13% backed NASCAR's discipline as a needed lesson. Readers didn't hold back either. One fan argued Preece's only mistake was broadcasting his intentions over the radio, while Busch's wreck of Nemechek looked "very obvious" yet went unpunished. Another pointed to a pattern of favoritism toward big-name drivers and powerful teams, calling today's officiating "Paddy Cake with money." A third defended Preece as a clean racer who doesn't retaliate like the "yahoos" who routinely escape scrutiny. The message from the garage of public opinion is loud: consistency, or bust.
Essentially Sports
May 9, 2026
Should NASCAR Overturn Ryan Preece’s Points Penalty?

42%
Yes, NASCAR Made the Wrong Call
170
41%
If They Let Busch Off the Hook, Why Not Preece
168
13%
No, Drivers Need to Be Taught a Lesson
54
3%
I Have a Different Take (Tell Us)
14
406 readers voted
We asked readers to weigh in — 7 shared their take. Here’s what they said:
Reader Reactions
7
mi****l***s****4@gmail.com
May 8, 2026 · 12:51 PM EDT
Not enough intelligence.
jo**b**e**4@gmail.com
May 8, 2026 · 1:28 PM EDT
It looks like favoritism to me.I can see why they fined preese,he shouldn't have said his intentions over the radio.But it's very obvious that Busch intentionally wrecked nemacek.He should get the same fine.
qa*1b*x@gmail.com
May 8, 2026 · 2:25 PM EDT
NASCAR has let so many of the Faired drivers , Denny, Bubba,Chastain and other just because of the power, sponsor, owner in so many cases now they do not when drop a yellow, fine for what, just racing, and not for the intent to wreck! Nascar need to hold a class as what they from track to tracked get the officials in the same play book or sell out to someone who will ! It is not racing it is Paddy Cake with money !
pe**4*3*7@gmail.com
May 9, 2026 · 8:30 AM EDT
The 54 dropped down in front of the 60 aftrr passing it when it clearly was faster. Why? To manipulate the race?
bj**m*n*r@gmail.com
May 8, 2026 · 4:01 PM EDT
Look
ra**o*o*0@gmail.com
May 8, 2026 · 2:29 PM EDT
he is a great driver and doesn't retaliate like the other yahoos do , straight forward jgr - 23/11 drivers race everyone ten times harder blocking, moving cars, wrecking cars and never being penalized or even scrutinized . THEY HAVE DONE WAY WORSE WITH NO RECOURSE
ed***a***s***0@gmail.com
May 8, 2026 · 2:00 PM EDT
Since Busch was not penalized then Preece shouldn’t be either. He should be treated the same as Busch or is Kyle “special “