With his back against the wall in the fight to make the playoffs, Preece has a major opportunity to gain a lot of ground at Richmond

Ryan Preece has delivered in the clutch, claiming the second Busch Light Pole Award of his career Friday afternoon at Richmond Raceway as he tries to earn a playoff position with only two regular-season races remaining to set the 16-driver NASCAR Cup Series championship field.

Saturday's Cook Out 400 may be the biggest missed opportunity of Ryan Preece's NASCAR Cup Series career. Preece and the No. 60 RFK Racing team entered the weekend 34 points below Chris Buescher for the 16th and final provisional Cup Series playoff spot.