Rick Ware Racing and Legacy Motor Club have put an end to their long-running legal conflict by agreeing to a settlement regarding a NASCAR Cup Series charter, setting the stage for Rick Ware Racing’s next chapter. The agreement paves the way for the team’s new approach, with Rick Ware confirming a renewed focus on a single-car operation, an important shift in the Rick Ware Racing NASCAR strategy.
Settlement Ends Legal Tensions and Sets New Direction
The dispute between Legacy Motor Club, led by Jimmie Johnson, and Rick Ware Racing began in April when Legacy alleged that Rick Ware Racing backed out of a deal to sell them a Cup Series charter. The tense negotiations intensified as rumors emerged that Rick Ware Racing was also considering selling to Jeff Dickerson and TJ Puchyr, former owners at Spire Motorsports. Legal action soon followed, with Legacy further suing Puchyr and successfully obtaining a court injunction to block the sale of Rick Ware Racing, entangling both organizations in a months-long legal battle.
As the 2025 Cup Series season advances into its later rounds, Legacy Motor Club has now secured a crucial third charter. This will join their current lineup, which features the No. 42 Toyota driven by John Hunter Nemechek and the No. 43 car piloted by Erik Jones. The end of the dispute brings certainty to Legacy’s attempts to expand its field, while shifting attention to what lies ahead for both Rick Ware Racing and its principal driver, Cody Ware.
Rick Ware Racing’s Commitment to a Single-Car Approach
The conclusion of the legal case brings questions for Rick Ware Racing’s future, especially regarding their Cup Series charter. Industry observers have speculated that the team, depending on how the settlement plays out, could find itself without a charter for the 2026 season. While the team might purchase or lease a new charter, the prospect of competing as an open, non-chartered team presents financial challenges due to substantially lower prize money and revenue.
Addressing this, a spokesperson for Rick Ware Racing provided assurances that the No. 51 car is expected to remain as a chartered entry through 2026. Rick Ware himself has spoken about the team’s direction, seeking to clarify the long-term outlook and affirm the organization’s commitment.
“I believe we landed in a mutually beneficial place for both teams, and the result will be a clear path forward for us all,”
Rick Ware, team owner, stated.
Further details emerged in an interview with The Athletic, as Ware explicitly reaffirmed the renewed focus on running one full-time Cup car under a charter arrangement. Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic reported:
“Spoke to Rick Ware tonight and he told The Athletic his No. 51 team will race as a chartered team in 2026.
My news story on what Rick said and Legacy Motor Club and Rick Ware Racing reaching a settlement.https://t.co/zsRH13Cxd0
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) September 20, 2025”
Addressing future seasons, Ware added:
“I look forward to putting all of our focus on finishing the 2025 season strong. My plan all along was to sell a charter; we’re not in a position to run two full-time Cup cars. And our plans have been all along to run a charter race car in ’25, ’26, ’27, and beyond, and that’s still our plan.”
— Rick Ware, Team Owner
Legacy Motor Club Expands While RWR Looks Ahead
Legacy Motor Club is planning to expand its operations from two full-time entries to three in 2026, now that it has gained another charter. However, due to the timing of the legal settlement, there is potential for LMC to lease this third charter to another team next season, allowing for a phased approach before it includes the new entry in its own lineup in 2027.
For Rick Ware Racing and its stakeholders, including Cody Ware, this settlement closes a turbulent chapter. The team can now refocus on on-track performance and sustainable growth, guided by a long-term strategy centered around a stable, single-car Cup Series program. With Rick Ware underscoring the importance of solidifying the No. 51 car’s future and rejecting expansion to a two-car operation, the organization is poised to weather challenges and remain a fixture in the series.
The clarity provided by the settlement impacts not just the teams, but also the wider NASCAR field, as it ensures Legacy’s expansion and highlights the evolving complexity of charter agreements and team ownership in modern motorsports. The decision by Rick Ware Racing to focus on a one-car strategy demonstrates the ongoing evolution of NASCAR teams in response to shifting legal, financial, and competitive realities.
Spoke to Rick Ware tonight and he told The Athletic his No. 51 team will race as a chartered team in 2026.
My news story on what Rick said and Legacy Motor Club and Rick Ware Racing reaching a settlement.https://t.co/zsRH13Cxd0
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) September 20, 2025
