The Rick Ware Racing team acquisition has been confirmed, with Spire Motorsports co-founder T.J. Puchyr reaching an agreement to purchase the NASCAR outfit from Rick Ware, according to statements made on Thursday. Puchyr is returning to the stock car racing scene, motivated by what he describes as a significant undervaluation of current NASCAR charters.
Puchyr Outlines Acquisition Details and Ambitious Growth
Puchyr, who launched Spire alongside Jeff Dickerson in 2018 by acquiring a charter previously held by Furniture Row Racing, shared with The Associated Press his plans to assume control of Rick Ware Racing in the upcoming season. He expressed a strong vision for expansion:
“I am bullish on wanting to build a three-car team. I believe in the France family and the direction of the sport and I want the rest of the shareholders and industry to know that I believe the charters are worth $75 million or more,”
—T.J. Puchyr, Spire Motorsports Co-Founder
Following the acquisition, Rick Ware will remain involved as a partner within the organization. Additionally, Ware’s son, Cody, is set to continue driving the No. 51 ford/”>Ford, and all current Rick Ware Racing employees will be retained to ensure continuity.
Charters, Legal Challenges, and Future Expansion Plans
At present, Rick Ware Racing’s second charter is on lease to RFK Racing, though Legacy Motor Club has made a legal claim, asserting that it had secured an agreement to purchase that charter for the next season. Despite this contention, both Puchyr and Ware remain confident that the second charter will revert to their team by 2027.
Puchyr intends to leverage this anticipated charter return by expanding the organization further. His goal is to acquire a third team charter, transforming Rick Ware Racing into a three-car Cup team by the 2027 NASCAR season.
What the Acquisition Means for NASCAR’s Team Structure
This deal represents a notable shift in the sport’s ownership landscape, particularly as charter values are increasingly scrutinized. The ongoing legal disputes and demand for charters highlight broader industry optimism and tensions about NASCAR’s business model. As Puchyr and Rick Ware push forward with their expansion plans, the move is likely to spark new conversations about team values and the future makeup of the stock car racing series.
