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 |
Discover more from The Racing Experts
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com