Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Rick Ware Racing is making a manufacturer switch from Ford to Chevrolet ahead of the 2026 season has sparked speculation in the NASCAR garage, not only because of the move itself, but because of the unanswered questions about its real purpose. RWR officially confirmed the move to Chevrolet as part of a multi-year deal, with a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing and ECR engines starting next season.
The change marked a major shift for RWR to improve their performances after finishing last in the points standings among the noted teams in 2025 and failing to even manage a single top-10 spot. Now, as a one-car team with Cody Ware behind the wheel of the No. 51 Chevy, they will use all the resources of the RCR technical alliance to focus on one entry, maximizing return on investment.
Thanks for sending!
TJ Puchyr, who previously co-founded Spire Motorsports, is acquiring RWR and this new ownership change may be a reason for RWR moving to a new manufacturer because Puchyr has a history with Chevrolet. The move is more about Puchyr using his existing network and supplier relationships within the Chevrolet camp to quickly restructure RWR into a three-car team, which is his stated goal for the organization.
The hidden reason behind Rick Ware’s careerChevrolet’s turnaround is primarily focused on the deteriorating relationship with Ford. Ford is losing key equipment and RWR made the decision due to the need to improve support and performance resources. Haas Factory Team is another team that will switch from Ford to Chevrolet next season.
Rick Ware Racing mulls manufacturer switch for 2026 NASCAR season
Chevrolet is the winningest manufacturer in NASCAR Cup Series history. Chevy won 34 drivers’ championships, 44 manufacturers’ championships in the Cup Series, including the last five manufacturers’ titles, and posted 881 all-time victories.
In teaming up with Chevrolet, Rick Ware Racing owner stated that Chevrolet’s strong reputation, advanced technology and deep commitment to racing make them an ideal partner to improve his team’s performance in 2026.
In a statement, RWR team owner Rick Ware said:
“Chevrolet has always set a high bar with its people, performance and passion for racing, and partnering with them gives us the resources and support to really advance the circuit. The partnership with RCR and ECR provides a foundation on which we can build, not only for 2026, but for the future of our racing team. We are proud to be a part of the Chevrolet family.”
Cody Ware will make Rick Ware Racing’s Chevrolet debut when the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season officially begins at Daytona International Speedway on February 15.
Edited by Yash Soni
