Last Updated: August 31, 2026
Ryan Preece Wife: Ryan Preece has carved out a solid place in the NASCAR Cup Series with RFK Racing, but the person who has been there through every high and low is his wife, Heather DesRochers. Their story is pure racing romance—two Connecticut kids who met at the track, competed against each other, and built a life that balances the chaos of Cup weekends with raising a young family. Here’s the full picture of the woman who keeps the No. 60 driver grounded.
Table of Contents
How Ryan Preece and Heather DesRochers Met
Heather and Ryan first crossed paths in 2009 at Stafford Motor Speedway. Her father was buying a race car from the chassis builder Ryan worked for at the time. Ryan helped set the car up during testing sessions, and the connection grew from there. Both came from racing families in Connecticut—Heather from Granby, Ryan from Berlin—so the track felt like home for both.
By 2011 they were racing each other in the SK Modified Series. Ryan took the championship that year while Heather earned Rookie of the Year honors. That same season they started dating. What began as friendly competition turned into a real partnership. Heather later said it was not instant love at first sight, but the shared passion made the relationship stick. They dated for six years before taking the next step.
Their Marriage and Life Together
The couple got engaged in 2016 and married in a private ceremony in 2017. Heather has been by Ryan’s side through the grind of climbing the ranks—from short tracks to full-time Cup racing. When the opportunity came to chase bigger opportunities, she left her job as an elementary school teacher in Massachusetts, packed up, and moved with him to North Carolina. That leap of faith was not easy. Ryan has openly talked about the tears and the risk of leaving everything familiar behind with no guaranteed big contract at the time.
Heather understands the lifestyle because she lived it as a racer herself. She does not just cheer from the sidelines. Ryan has said she will call him out after a race if something needs fixing, and he values that honesty. Their competitive streak even shows up off the track—mini-golf games can get intense enough that they take a multi-year break afterward.
Family Life: Kids and Support
Ryan and Heather welcomed their first child, daughter Rebecca Marie, on August 7, 2023. In October 2025 they added a son, Bentley Ryan. Ryan announced the news with a simple post: “Rebecca Marie & Bentley Ryan. Our world is complete.” The family now lives in Kannapolis, North Carolina.
Parenting while living the NASCAR schedule is a team effort. Heather has taken on a big share of the daily load, including homeschooling elements at times. Ryan makes a point of spending every free minute he can with the kids. After recent wins, including his first Cup Series victory at Daytona, he has been quick to credit Heather for sticking with him since the days when prize money was measured in hundreds of dollars and shoes were bought on her credit card.
- Shared racing roots keep them connected
- Mutual respect for the demands of the sport
- Strong focus on family time amid the travel
- Heather’s steady presence through career ups and downs
Heather’s Own Racing Background and Role
Heather is more than a driver’s wife. She competed in various series and participated in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity combine in 2009 and 2010. That background gives her real insight into what Ryan faces every weekend. She knows the pressure, the travel, and the emotional swings. When Ryan is away for races or off-season events, she has been described by him as “a saint” for holding everything together at home.
Her role has evolved from competitor to partner and now mother, yet she still brings a racer’s perspective. That combination of support and accountability is rare, and Ryan has said it makes their marriage stronger. Detail Information Full Name Heather DesRochers (Preece) Hometown Granby, Connecticut Met Ryan 2009 at Stafford Motor Speedway Started Dating 2011 Married 2017 Children Rebecca Marie (2023), Bentley Ryan (2025) Previous Career Racer, Elementary School Teacher Current Focus Family, supporting Ryan’s Cup career
Conclusion
Heather DesRochers is the steady force behind Ryan Preece’s rise in NASCAR. From competing against each other on Connecticut short tracks to raising two kids while chasing Cup dreams, their story shows what a true partnership looks like in a high-pressure sport. As Ryan continues with RFK Racing and builds on recent success, Heather remains the constant—someone who understands the lifestyle, keeps him honest, and helps make the family complete. Their journey is a reminder that behind every driver grinding it out week after week, there is often a partner who has been all-in from the start.