Preece, McDowell have words following the race in New Hampshire | NASCARCredit: C/O

It seems like there’s almost as much debating it out as there is driving lately in NASCAR, and this weekend was no exception. This time, drivers Michael McDowell and Ryan Preece exchanged words at the Crayola 301 on Monday.

The race was part of NASCAR’s New England Weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway over July 14-17. Martin Truex Jr. would win the event. The driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota left little doubt about taking the checkered flag in the rain-delayed race, leading for a dominating 254 of the 301 laps around the 1.058-mile track.

Afterward, some extended ‘action’ took place between Michael McDowell and Ryan Preece at the finish line after the race. The two drivers got in each other’s faces, but ultimately, there was no physical blowup. They appeared on video to have parted amicably after working out whatever had happened on the track.

However, in a rare turn of event s for a NASCAR driver, McDowell raised his hand and took the foul on this one.

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McDowell said the incident was the result of a bad crossover move and downshift, leaving him loose and sending him up into Preece, who then hit the wall. Preece finished 28th while McDowell came in 13th.

“He has every right to be mad,” McDowell said about the brief confrontation. “I understand why he was upset.”

Seeing as the contact appeared to be incidental and the two drivers look to have no further issue regarding it, NASCAR is not expected to levy any punishment regarding their blacktop battle.

While Martin Truex Jr. got the victory, New England native Joey Logano would wind up in second place. Kyle Larson finished third, with Kevin Harvick finishing fourth, and Brad Keselowski rounding out the top five.

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Ryan Boman is the author of the 2023 book, 'Pop Music & Peanut Butter', and a sportswriter whose previous... More about Ryan Boman

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