Racing pastor Preston honoring late brother behind the wheel

There isn’t a night at the racetrack – or behind the wheel – that Nick Preston of Fergus Falls doesn’t think of his brother, Kyle.

“Every time,” Preston said. “I always wanted to drive another car. I wanted to race against him and never got the chance to race against him. Now I feel like he’s racing with me.”

Kyle Preston died unexpectedly in January 2023, in what Nick described as “devastating” for the Preston family.

“He took his life,” Preston said. “It was absolutely tragic. We didn’t see it coming.”

Kyle Preston raced the #8K Wissota Midwest Modified class at I-94 EMR Speedway in Fergus Falls from 2021-22. After his passing, Nick Preston decided to take over that race car, which is owned by his father, Wayne – to honor his brother.

“Racing’s been in our family,” Nick said. “I was always here watching him. When he passed, I was going to take the car and keep it going.”

Nick Preston is in his fourth year behind the wheel in his #28K Wissota Midwest Modified. He also has an occupation that is unusual in the racing world – he’s a pastor.

Nick Preston is the senior pastor of Life Church in Fergus Falls, in fact,

“I love it,” Nick said of being a pastor in racing. “I grew up in the racing environment, I’ve had opportunities to pray with people, there’s been some other tragic losses. Being a minister in the racing community is a huge honor. I know it’s not conventional, but that’s who I am.”

He felt called to the ministry in his late teens, and has been in the lead pastor position at Life Church for a year-and-a-half. Racing has provided an avenue to share his faith.

“Racing is not all of my life, it’s a part of my life. It’s a hobby I enjoy,” Nick said.  “I love the smell of gasoline and the horsepower; getting a little grease in your fingernails.  I don’t get that as much being a pastor.”

He admitted there was a steep learning curve when he hopped behind the wheel for the first time in 2023.

“It was super scary right away. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Preston said. “But I like a challenge, and I fell in love with it right away.”

Driving a Pierce Chassis formerly owned by long-time veteran Ron Saurer, Nick Preston recorded three top 10 finishes in 2024 and followed with three more in 2025.

“How to turn it is the hardest thing,” Preston said. “And how to adjust your suspension. I try to learn from other people.  Everyone has been so helpful. The racing community is amazing.”

He wants to make continued progress on the track in 2026.

“Just keep improving, getting faster and getting better,” Preston said. “I want to win, but I’m not absolutely crushed if I don’t. I just want to keep doing better and better and not wreck the car unnecessarily.”

Remembering his late brother is only part of the family aspect of racing for Nick Preston, whose whole family is involved. That includes his wife, Amanda and five children.

“My kids love it, my wife is super supportive,” Nick said. “Aunts, uncles, cousins – everyone pitches in. My family is supportive. Doing it with the family is the best part.

Driver profile

Nick Preston

Wissota Midwest Modified #28K

Age: 38

Residence: Fergus Falls, Minn.

Sponsors: Preston Farms, Progressive Farms, Lake Region Highmark Erectors, Vikingland Apparel