NASCAR: Rick Ware Racing confirm first full-time driver for 2021

By Asher Fair | Jan 19, 2021

Joey Gase, Rick Ware Racing, NASCAR (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Rick Ware Racing have confirmed that Cody Ware is set to compete full-time for the team in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Up until last week, Rick Ware Racing hadn’t confirmed any of the drivers for their four chartered entries for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Joey Gase became the first driver to be confirmed by the team for the upcoming season, returning for a part-time effort, and while the team haven’t specifically confirmed it, James Davison announced that he expects to compete in select races for the team again in 2021 after making his series debut last season.

Now the team have confirmed their first full-time driver for the upcoming season.

Cody Ware is set to drive full-time for the team in the 2021 season, marking his first full-time effort.

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He is set to drive the #51 Chevrolet, which is officially classified as a Petty Ware Racing car since it is run using a charter provided by Richard Petty Motorsports. Richard Petty Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing do not have any kind of alliance beyond the latter’s use of the former’s charter.

As a result, the #51 Chevrolet is guaranteed a starting spot in each of the 36 races on the 2021 schedule. Ware has competed in the Cup Series in each of the last four seasons, but he has never competed in more than 13 races in one season (2019). Last season, he competed in only the October race at Talladega Superspeedway and finished in a career-high 19th place.

Biohaven Pharmaceuticals is set to serve as Ware’s primary sponsor, with him set to drive a Nurtec ODT-branded Chevrolet Camaro throughout the year.

Here is what Ware had to say about the opportunity to compete full-time in 2021, according to a press release.

"“I am pumped to head to Daytona International Speedway with Biohaven as our primary sponsor. As a person with migraine, it’s even more meaningful for me to drive the Nurtec ODT #51 car to raise awareness of this debilitating disease, especially at the biggest race of the year. We have a lot of exciting things planned for 2021, and I look forward to competing in the NASCAR Cup Series again.”"

Here is what team owner Rick Ware had to say.

"“We are super excited to start the season off at Daytona International Speedway, where we have had some great runs in the past. This will be the first race as part of the Nurtec ODT partnership, and we are hoping to have a successful day on the track, and bring home a great finish for the team and our sponsor.”"

Here is what Biohaven Chief Executive Officer Vlad Coric, MD, had to add.

"“We are very excited that Cody will be driving the Nurtec ODT car at the NASCAR races and to be working with him to raise awareness about migraine and Nurtec ODT. As a person with migraine and someone who has to deal with so many migraine triggers on the racetrack, Cody will help elevate the conversation about the importance of an effective acute treatment for migraine.”"

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The 2021 season is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, February 14 at Daytona International Speedway with the 63rd annual Daytona 500, which is set to be broadcast live on Fox beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.

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