NASCAR will not revoke charter from Rick Ware Racing
NASCAR confirmed they will not use a clause in the Cup Series charter system to revoke a charter owned by Rick Ware Racing.
The charter system has a clause in the “Minimum Performance Standards,” specifying NASCAR can revoke a charter if it finishes in the Bottom Three three years in a row.
The No. 51 charter finished in the bottom three the past two years. Now, it sits 34th in owner points and faced NASCAR invoking that clause.
However, NASCAR confirmed they don’t plan on doing that.
A NASCAR representative stated the clause was put in place to protect against “start-and-park entries” and that RWR did not fit that.
“We did not feel that it fit this situation. NASCAR has seen Rick Ware invest more in his teams this season, and the team has presented plans to improve further in future seasons,” a NASCAR representative told TRE.
NASCAR cited the organization’s existing engine program in place with Yates Engines. They also cited its existing technical alliance with RFK Racing and signing a proven driver, Justin Haley, for 2024.
Rick Ware Racing also has its No. 15 charter, which sits 35th in owner points.
J.J. Yeley told TRE he is working on sponsorship to drive that car in 2024.
However, the organization hasn’t confirmed any drivers for the No. 15 yet.
BOTTOM THREE BY YEAR
| Year | 34th | 35th | 36th |
| 2023 (currently) | Rick Ware #51 (3; was Rick Ware #15 in 2022) | Rick Ware #15 (2; was Rick Ware #51) | LiveFast #78 (2) |
| 2022 | Rick Ware #15 (2) | Rick Ware #51 | LiveFast #78 |
| 2021 | Rick Ware #15 | Rick Ware #53 (2) | StarCom #00 (2) |
| 2020 | StarCom #00 | Rick Ware #53 | Petty-Ware #51 (2) |
| 2019 | Petty-Ware #51 | Spire #77 | Rick Ware #52 |
| 2018 | Starcom #00 | BK Racing #23 (2) | Rick Ware #51 (became Petty 43 after 2018) |
| 2017 | Premium #15 | BK Racing #23 | Circle Sport/TMG #33 |
| 2016 | HScott #46 | GoFas #32 | Baldwin #7 |
