UPDATE: Monday, April 10 at 4:45 PM ET – Rick Ware Racing has released a statement on the arrest and indefinite suspension of driver Cody Ware, which reads as follows:
“We are aware of the incident regarding Cody Ware and his indefinite suspension from NASCAR competition. We understand NASCAR’s position on this matter and accept their decision. The matter is still under investigation and Cody is fully cooperating with the authorities, as due process takes its course. RWR is committed to continuing our multi-car efforts in the NASCAR Cup Series and is in the process of finalizing our plans for the No. 51 entry at Martinsville Speedway, and beyond. These plans will be announced in the coming days.”
A police report on the Cody Ware charges indicates that the alleged assault occurred on Monday, April 3. The case is classified as domestic violence and as an aggravated assault with aggravated injury with “personal weapons” of hands, fists, and feet.
Since posting the original story, Ware has been released from prison on a bond of $3,000.
ORIGINAL STORY: Monday, April 10 at 1:26 PM ET
Cody Ware did not compete in this past weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway, while he focused on a “personal matter”. Now, the reason for Ware stepping away at Bristol has come to light. On Monday, Ware was arrested and charged with felony assault by strangulation and misdemeanor assault on a female following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.
The Iredell County Jail confirmed the charges to TobyChristie.com and the jail confirms that Ware is still in custody at the time of publishing and that the racer is currently being held on a $3,000 bond.
NASCAR has indefinitely suspended Ware from competition following the arrest.
Ware, 27, is the son of Rick Ware Racing team owner Rick Ware and had competed in the opening seven races of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season for his father’s team.
The North Carolina native has competed in a total of 97 NASCAR Cup Series events over the course of his career and has one top-10 finish, a sixth-place effort at Daytona International Speedway last September.
Ware competed in a career-high 35 NASCAR Cup Series events in 2022.
The driver has also made 28 career starts in NASCAR Xfinity Series competition and has seven career starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ranks.
Matt Crafton stepped into the No. 51 Ford Mustang in place of Ware at Bristol Dirt and recorded a 34th-place finish. There have been no indications from the team on who will pilot the car this weekend at Martinsville Speedway.
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