NASCAR: 3 teams that still need drivers for 2023
By Asher Fair
NASCAR teams that still need drivers: No. 2 – Rick Ware Racing
Like Front Row Motorsports, Rick Ware Racing have two seats open for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season. They ran two cars, the #15 Ford and the #51 Ford, during the 2022 season after downsizing from four following the 2021 season.
Like Spire Motorsports and Kaulig Racing, they ran one car for a full-time driver and another car for a rotation of drivers this past year. Cody Ware, son of team owner Rick Ware, drove the #51 Ford full-time, while J.J. Yeley, Garrett Smithley, Joey Hand, David Ragan, Ryan Preece, and Parker Kligerman split time behind the wheel of the #15 Ford.
While Spire Motorsports and Kaulig Racing have both opted for two full-time drivers in the 2023 season, however, it is unlikely that Rick Ware Racing will change to this approach next year.
Cody Ware is expected to return for another season, though the future is less certain for the team’s other entry, especially after the #15 team finished in the bottom three among the 36 charter teams in the owner standings for the second consecutive season. Another finish outside the top 33 in 2023 would give NASCAR the ability to repossess its charter.
Will Rick Ware Racing continue to field two full-time entries in 2023, or will they part ways with one of their two charters? It certainly seems like they will keep two cars, especially after forming a new technical alliance with RFK Racing.