Rick Ware Racing has been ordered not to sell either of its NASCAR Cup Series charters until the resolution of a legal dispute with Legacy Motor Club, following a judge’s decision in Mecklenberg County, North Carolina on Friday. The Rick Ware Racing NASCAR charter dispute centers around which specific charter was sold in a complex transaction involving Spire Motorsports co-founder T.J. Puchyr.
Details of the Court’s Decision
Superior judge Clifton Smith ruled after hearing from both sides on August 13 that Rick Ware Racing cannot proceed with selling its ownership charters until current legal matters are concluded. The decision follows a disagreement between Rick Ware Racing and Legacy Motor Club regarding which team charter was part of the transaction: the #36 or the #27, both of which are now entangled in a prospective sale to T.J. Puchyr, a long-standing motorsport figure. The dispute drew further attention because Puchyr personally negotiated the original agreement involving both organizations, which heightened concerns about breach of fiduciary duties.
Which Charter Is in Contention?
Rick Ware, who owns two Cup Series charters, has one charter leased to Roush Fenway Keselowski for their No. 60 team, linked to driver Ryan Preece (#27). The second charter is operated by Rick Ware Racing‘s No. 51 team, with Cody Ware (#36) as the driver. NASCAR rules allow a team to loan out a charter only once per charter period, tied to each broadcast rights agreement. The ongoing contract dispute hinges on which charter was intended for Legacy, as Legacy claims a signed agreement for 2026 was later broken, while Rick Ware asserts their agreement specified the 2027 season. This distinction is particularly important because charter #36 is scheduled for loan to RFK Racing next year for Preece’s No. 60 car, affecting planning for the involved teams.
Injunction and Immediate Impacts
Legacy Motor Club, primarily owned by seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, sought an injunction to stop Rick Ware Racing from finalizing a sale with Puchyr before the legal issues are settled. Legacy’s argument rested on the claim that Puchyr, who orchestrated the original agreement, overstepped his prior role by attempting to purchase the charters for himself. The court granted Legacy’s request for an injunction, with Judge Smith confirming that no charter sales are permitted until the matter is resolved in court.
The next step in the legal proceedings is a trial scheduled for January, which means the ownership status of Rick Ware Racing’s charters will remain unchanged until at least that time. This restriction adds uncertainty for teams and drivers like Cody Ware and Ryan Preece, as well as for organizations including RFK Racing and Spire Motorsports, as they plan for the upcoming seasons.
Future Implications for NASCAR Teams
The unresolved Rick Ware Racing NASCAR charter dispute signals challenges for teams navigating the complicated system of charter sales and leases within the NASCAR Cup Series. With key figures such as Rick Ware, T.J. Puchyr, Ryan Preece, and Jimmie Johnson involved, the outcome of this case may set precedents for how ownership disputes and brokered agreements are managed within the sport. As the trial approaches, teams and stakeholders will watch closely to understand how the outcome will impact transactions and relationships in future NASCAR seasons.
