A judge in North Carolina has ruled in favor of Legacy Motor Club, granting a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Rick Ware Racing (RWR). This legal move is part of an ongoing dispute between the two NASCAR Cup teams. Legacy Motor Club alleges it has a valid charter purchase agreement with RWR dated 2026, accusing RWR of mistakenly attempting to back out of the deal.
Amidst this legal battle, it was revealed that RWR is planning to sell the entire team to TJ Puchyr in a $150 million transaction. However, the new TRO halts RWR from finalizing the sale to Puchyr for at least 10 days while a hearing for a preliminary injunction is pending, with no date set yet. Legacy is also required to post a $5 million bond.
The court has warned RWR against trying to sell the team while the charter dispute lawsuit is unresolved. Since the lawsuit’s initiation in April, RWR has responded with its own legal action, contesting the timeline of the charter sale. Additionally, Legacy has filed a separate lawsuit accusing Puchyr of an “underhanded attempt” to buy RWR and interfere with the charter purchase. Notably, Puchyr collaborated with Legacy through an Independent Contractor Agreement via the consulting firm Rucus.
Fan Take: This legal showdown over charters highlights the increasing complexities and high stakes involved in NASCAR team ownership and partnerships. For fans, the outcome could reshape team dynamics and ownership structures, potentially impacting the competitive landscape of the sport.
