A North Carolina judge has temporarily halted Rick Ware Racing’s reported $150 million sale to T.J. Puchyr, siding with Legacy Motor Club in an escalating legal fight over a disputed NASCAR Cup Series charter. The ruling adds another layer of uncertainty to an already tangled case involving multiple lawsuits, charter rights, and claims of backdoor dealings between teams. With a hearing on a potential preliminary injunction still ahead, the fate of Rick Ware Racing’s future remains unresolved.
Key Highlights
A temporary restraining order blocks Rick Ware Racing from completing its $150 million sale to T.J. Puchyr.
Legacy Motor Club alleges it had a prior deal for a charter from RWR for 2026.
The TRO is in place for 10 days while the court considers a preliminary injunction.
Legacy claims RWR tried to bypass its agreement through an “underhanded” deal with Puchyr.
Trial on the dispute is currently scheduled for January 2026.
Court Sides With Legacy in Early Ruling
Mecklenburg Superior Court Judge Clifton Smith issued a temporary restraining order on Thursday, preventing Rick Ware Racing from closing its proposed sale to Puchyr. The order came after Legacy argued that RWR had previously signed a Charter Purchase Agreement granting Legacy rights to one of its two NASCAR charters in 2026. Legacy claims that RWR attempted to sidestep this deal by negotiating to sell the entire team to Puchyr instead.
Legacy attorney Keith Forst described the potential sale as a damaging move that would undermine its signed agreement.
“What we know is that these promises were made and this backdoor transaction was apparently entered into and is apparently a binding agreement, although not yet closed. There is really no harm to defendant whatsoever, and there is tremendous harm to plaintiff Legacy if this closing of these assets in fact happens.” – Keith Forst
The TRO will stand for 10 days while the court evaluates a request for a longer-term preliminary injunction. Legacy must post a $5 million bond as part of the ruling.
A Charter Deal Gone Wrong
Charters serve as NASCAR’s version of a franchise tag, guaranteeing entry into all Cup Series races and offering financial benefits to their holders. RWR operates one full-time entry for Cody Ware and leases its second charter to RFK Racing. According to RWR’s legal team, there was already an existing arrangement to lease the charter to RFK in 2026, delaying an outright sale to Legacy until 2027.
Legacy argues that its deal with RWR, brokered by Puchyr while working as a consultant, gave it rights to the charter for 2026. The team, backed by Knighthead Capital Management, says it acted in good faith, only to see RWR pursue a conflicting sale with Puchyr months later.
Mark Henriques, counsel for Rick Ware Racing, defended the team’s actions, saying Ware was trying to maintain a viable operation while planning for his son Cody’s future in the Cup Series.
“My clients did exactly what they had the freedom to do, work out a deal that meets the needs of the entity, and enter into a binding transaction that covers the entire business and yet keeps Cody racing. They’re trying to have their cake and eat it too since they lost the first preliminary injunction.” – Mark Henriques
Multiple Lawsuits and Next Steps
The current TRO is just the latest development in a complex legal battle. Since April, Legacy and RWR have filed competing lawsuits over the disputed charter. Legacy also recently sued Puchyr directly, accusing him of interfering with its purchase agreement while working under a consulting contract with the team.
Rick Ware Racing’s planned $150 million sale to Puchyr, a co-founder of Spire Motorsports and now a consultant to teams and sponsors, was first reported by AP in June. Court filings indicate Puchyr intends to keep Cody Ware as a full-time driver should the sale go through.
For now, the TRO halts the sale and keeps the dispute in court. A full trial is scheduled for January 2026, though additional motions could shape how the case unfolds.
News in Brief: Rick Ware Racing NASCAR Charter Sale Blocked
A judge has granted Legacy Motor Club a temporary restraining order blocking Rick Ware Racing’s planned $150 million sale to T.J. Puchyr. The dispute centers on a prior charter purchase agreement Legacy claims is being ignored, with both teams filing lawsuits since April. RWR argues the sale should proceed in 2027 after a lease arrangement with RFK Racing concludes, but Legacy says it secured rights for 2026. The TRO lasts 10 days pending further hearings.
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