Full-time NASCAR driver arrested, suspended indefinitely

Cody Ware has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR following his arrest for assault by strangulation and assault on female.

Rick Ware Racing ruled out Cody Ware from Sunday night’s NASCAR Cup Series dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway as a result of Ware tending to a “personal matter”, and three-time Truck Series champion Matt Crafton filled in for him behind the wheel of the No. 51 Ford.

Ware is now set to miss an extended period of time, as it was confirmed on Monday that NASCAR had suspended him indefinitely after he was taken into custody by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina.

He was being held on a felony charge of “assault by strangulation — inflict serious injury” as well as a misdemeanor charge of “assault on female”, and his bond was set at $3,000.

The charges reportedly stem from an incident which took place on Monday, April 3. Current records indicate that the full-time driver is now out of custody after being bonded out.

The Rick Ware Racing NASCAR team issued the following statement later on Monday.

The 27-year-old Greensboro, North Carolina native, who was set to compete full-time this year for just the second time in his career, has competed in 97 Cup Series races, including seven so far this year. He owns a top finish of sixth place at Daytona International Speedway in August 2022. His best finish of the year is a 14th place finish in the Daytona 500.

Cody’s younger brother, Carson, was arrested and suspended indefinitely by NASCAR in October 2021 for assault on a female, simple assault, and injury to personal property. He was reinstated by NASCAR in June 2022 but has not competed in any national series races since.

Rick Ware Racing have not confirmed their plans for the No. 51 Ford amid Ware’s absence, aside from the fact that they still plan to field both of their chartered entries, the No. 51 Ford and the No. 15 Ford, in each race.