Rick Ware Racing officially announced that its NASCAR Cup Series team will switch to Chevrolet starting in 2026, confirming the move on Monday in Mooresville, North Carolina. The decision, involving a new technical partnership with Richard Childress Racing and support from ECR Engines, aims to advance the team’s competitive prospects within the Cup circuit, spotlighting the Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet switch as a key development.
Details of the Chevrolet Partnership
The new multiyear alliance with Chevrolet includes a technical partnership with Richard Childress Racing, renowned within NASCAR circles for its history and expertise. RWR will use engines from ECR Engines under this agreement, further strengthening their position on the grid. The commitment from partners was underscored by Pat Suhy, manager of NASCAR Competition for GM Motorsports, who said,
“Rick and his team have shown a real commitment to growing their program, and we’re proud to support that effort alongside our partners at Richard Childress Racing and ECR Engines.”
He continued,
“Bringing RWR into the Chevrolet fold is a win for all of us. Their drive to keep improving aligns with our dedication to performance and innovation.”
– Pat Suhy, manager, NASCAR Competition for GM Motorsports.
Cody Ware to Drive No. 51 in 2026
Looking ahead, Cody Ware, son of Rick Ware, will drive the No. 51 Chevrolet during the Cook Out Clash on February 1 at Bowman Gray Stadium. He has also been confirmed to race the full 36-event Cup Series season in 2026, marking a significant step in continuity and focus for the organization.
Ware’s Perspective on the Move
Team owner Rick Ware emphasized the significance of the switch for the company’s growth and long-term aspirations within motorsports.
“The NASCAR Cup Series is the toughest and most competitive series in motorsports, and this is an important move for the long-term growth of our company. We’ve won in NHRA, American Flat Track, World Supercross and the CARS Tour, and we want to elevate our NASCAR performance to the level of our other programs,”
said Rick Ware – Owner, Rick Ware Racing.
RWR’s History with Chevrolet and Recent Performance
This transition marks a reunion for RWR with Chevrolet, as they previously competed full-time with the brand in 2017. In 2018, the team ran a combination of Chevrolet and Ford cars before moving exclusively to Ford with the introduction of the NextGen car in 2022. Since then, performance has steadily improved, highlighted by a top-five finish and eight top-10 finishes over the last four seasons, compared to fewer such results in the preceding five-year period.
Contributions from Notable Drivers
The NextGen era featured strong contributions from acclaimed drivers such as Ryan Newman, Jenson Button, Justin Haley, J.J. Yeley, and Corey LaJoie. In 2023, Newman made eight starts, potentially closing out a notable Cup Series career, while Button competed three times and impressively qualified eighth in the inaugural Chicago Street Race. Yeley demonstrated strong pace, particularly with a seventh-place finish during a rain-shortened July race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and a lead-lap finish at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte earlier that year.
Recent Highlights and Future Outlook
Recent seasons also saw standout performances from Justin Haley and Corey LaJoie. Haley, in 2024, delivered the organization its strongest full-time campaign yet, with two ninth-place finishes—at Darlington in May and at World Wide Technology Raceway Gateway in June—achieving an average finish of 23.1. LaJoie came close to securing a victory at the Daytona 500, leading late in the race before finishing just short of the win. At present, it is not confirmed whether LaJoie will drive for RWR in the 2026 Daytona 500.
Rick Ware Racing’s Chevrolet switch positions the team for continued growth and potential new milestones as it renews past successes and leverages the expertise of established partners. As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on how this change shapes the team’s trajectory within the competitive landscape of NASCAR’s top series.
