Chaos struck twice for Cody Ware during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race, framing a day of drama that ended with questions still unanswered. From an early spin in front of the race leader to a late-race collision that left his own car wrecked, Ware became a central figure without ever contending for position. What unfolded over more than 300 laps left teams and fans wondering whether frustration turned into a costly mistake with Austin Dillon as the unintended victor.
Key Highlights
Cody Ware spun early after contact from Austin Dillon while running last.
Ryan Blaney narrowly avoided the first incident and went on to win.
Late-race contact appeared to be possible retaliation by Ware.
Ware’s car suffered heavy damage while Dillon escaped unscathed.
Ware finished 31st, five laps down, after apologizing to his team.
Early Spin Sets the Tone
The opening act came on Lap 63 when race leader Ryan Blaney faced a sudden scare. Cody Ware spun directly in front of him after Austin Dillon tapped the No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford Mustang. Blaney locked up his tires to avoid contact and continued on to an eventual victory. Ware’s team voiced frustration over the radio.
“He just used us up.” – Rick Ware Racing team radio
At that stage, Ware was running last, and Dillon quickly moved on. Yet the incident planted a seed that would resurface long after most had forgotten the early dustup.
A Late-Race Collision Raises Eyebrows
More than 200 laps later, Ware found himself in 30th place while Dillon remained in the hunt for a top-15 finish. As Dillon approached to lap him with 48 laps to go, the pair tangled again. This time, the replay told a different story. Ware was low on the track but moved up mid-corner, appearing to throttle up just as he clipped Dillon’s left-rear quarter panel. Instead of sending Dillon spinning, Ware lost control and pounded the outside wall.
“What an idiot. Why is he out here? Does he think I tried to wreck him earlier?” – Austin Dillon
Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet continued without damage, while Ware limped back to pit road with heavy front-end destruction. The sequence drew immediate speculation about whether Ware was seeking revenge for the earlier contact.
Aftermath and Silence from the Driver
Ware became the bookend for the day’s cautions, responsible for both the first and final yellow flags. His second wreck overshadowed the quiet remainder of the race and left his team with a battered car. Over the radio, there was no fiery response or explanation—only a subdued acknowledgment when the checkered flag waved. Ware offered a simple apology to his team as he rolled home 31st, five laps behind the winner.
“I’m sorry, guys.” – Cody Ware
Dillon, meanwhile, walked away with points intact and a sense of bewilderment at the No. 51’s tactics. The contrast between Ware’s silence and Dillon’s sharp criticism highlighted the unanswered question: was this a deliberate move that backfired or a miscalculation in traffic?
News in Brief: Cody Ware’s Spins Spark Retaliation Talk at New Hampshire
Cody Ware’s NASCAR Cup Series outing turned turbulent as he spun twice—first after Austin Dillon’s contact on Lap 63, then again in a suspected payback attempt with 48 laps remaining. Ryan Blaney narrowly avoided the early wreck and won the race. Dillon accused Ware of a failed retaliation after the late incident, while Ware offered only a post-race apology to his team. He finished 31st, five laps down, while Dillon escaped without damage.
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