Cody Ware, driver of the No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet, is setting his sights on a standout performance in the upcoming Daytona 500. Focused on making a mark at the storied race, Ware highlighted his growing relationship with Chevrolet and RCR as key factors for potential success in this year’s high-stakes event.
Preseason Preparation Fuels High Hopes
Recent preparations have left Ware optimistic, with his team working tirelessly during the offseason. Crew chief Billy Plourde and car chief Dave Jones have been instrumental in getting the car ready through rigorous efforts, both on the track and in the shop. Ware credits not only the technical advancements but also the strengthening partnership with RCR and Chevrolet for building greater confidence as race day approaches.
“Yeah anytime we can get back to racing, it’s always exciting. There is always a lot of chaos and uncertainty that goes into the 500 but I think the focus is to continue to build the relationship we have started with RCR and Chevrolet and my team, Billy Plourde and Dave Jones, my crew chief and car chief, they’ve done an awesome job prepping during the offseason. I think the fruits of that are starting to show between the little bit of track time we’ve had here and at Bowman Grey.”
— Cody Ware, Driver
Daytona’s Unpredictable Nature Offers Opportunities
Known for its unpredictability, the Daytona 500 has seen underdogs clinch victory in past years. Ware believes this tradition of surprise winners fares well for competitors like himself and highlights the mix of chaos and opportunity present at the superspeedway. He pointed out drivers such as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Michael McDowell, who have succeeded against the odds, as evidence that anyone with the right strategy could break through.
“I think what that shows is that it is anyone’s race. You have guys like Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Michael McDowell, guys that I’ve had good relationships with over the years when the stars fall and everything aligns, it really is anybody’s race. I think the biggest thing for me is to take what I’ve learned from leading laps last year in the fall race to building a program where we have the cars that are capable of winning and I still need to work on myself to make sure were in contention. But I think it is anyone race and I think it’s going to be an exciting year.”
— Cody Ware, Driver
Strengthening Ties with Chevrolet and RCR
Ware spoke at length about the new alliance with Chevy and his increased access to resources at RCR and the GM Tech Center. Having dedicated simulation rigs available nearly around the clock has enhanced his ability to prepare, working alongside experienced engineers to elevate both team and personal performance. The switch to Chevrolet and the collaboration with RCR has, according to Ware, contributed to steady improvements, even though the true test will come once the official NASCAR Cup Series points races begin.
“From my personal experience having spent a lot of time at RCR and the GM Tech Center, there are a lot of tools that are available not just to the race team but also myself as a driver are invaluable. RCR has a static SIM rig that I have access too pretty much 24/7 with their engineers as well as the GM Tech Center using their full motion rig and static rig. So to be able to work with RCR and their engineers has been good not just for the team, but for myself as a driver to continue to improve and make myself better because I don’t want to fall behind as our equipment and our expectations and performance is getting better, I need to make sure that I am improving as well. I think all in all I’ve seen just an across the board improvement but it’s still very very early because we haven’t had a points race yet, but I’m super optimistic with the alliance and switching manufacturers.”
— Cody Ware, Driver
Focus on Consistency and Past Daytona Success
Reflecting on his experience at last year’s Daytona race, where he led 23 laps, Ware emphasized the crucial role of confidence and learning to remain at the front in tightly bunched draft packs. He recognized the importance of balancing a strong front-run push with smart fuel management and pit strategy—mistakes in these areas could derail a promising run. With lessons learned and a renewed alliance with Chevrolet and RCR, Ware is determined to turn flashes of past success into consistent results at the superspeedway.
“I think confidence has a lot to do with it. Having the confidence to go out there and lead and learning what it takes to lead and modulate a line in a draft pack like that. And just to continue to learn on that and not do it for a flash-in-the-pan moment but being able to consistently do it and also extract more speed out of the cars. Also fuel milage is also an important part and one of the things is we burned a lot of fuel doing that so knowing the time and the place to do that versus burning up fuel and creating a bad pit strategy for the team as well. But I’m excited to about Daytona especially after last fall and the new alliance with Chevrolet and RCR.”
— Cody Ware, Driver
What to Watch for at This Year’s Daytona 500
Cody Ware’s journey to the 2026 Daytona 500 underlines the influence of strong manufacturer support and strategic alliances in modern NASCAR competition. With drivers like Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Michael McDowell setting examples of overcoming the odds, Ware’s ambitions are supported by new technology, greater resources, and strengthened teamwork. The renewed commitment from Chevrolet and RCR could provide the key ingredients for Ware and Rick Ware Racing to emerge as genuine threats on race day at Daytona International Speedway.
This year’s Daytona 500 will serve as the first true test of the team’s offseason efforts and new partnerships. A solid run or a breakthrough finish could redefine Cody Ware’s place among Cup Series drivers and showcase the value of focused preparation, resilience, and manufacturer alliances on NASCAR’s biggest stage.
