Rick Ware Racing (RWR) announced on Monday that they will switch manufacturers for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, moving from Ford to Chevrolet. The team, which holds a charter and operates a single car, will also partner technically with Richard Childress Racing and ECR Engines, establishing what is expected to be a multi-year collaboration.
Last season, RWR finished last in points among charter teams, with Cody Ware ending 36th in the standings driving the No. 51 Ford Mustang. Ware was one of just two full-time drivers to never crack the top 10, with a best finish of 13th at Atlanta.
Competing in the Cup Series since 2012, RWR has alternated between Ford and Chevrolet over the years but has been with Ford since the start of NASCAR’s Next Gen era in 2022. Though the team has yet to claim a win, their top results include a fourth-place finish in the 2020 Daytona 500 with David Ragan and in the 2024 Daytona Summer Race with Cody Ware.
Returning to Chevrolet increases the number of full Cup teams using Chevrolets to 17 in 2026. This follows the Haas Factory Team, another single-car outfit that recently switched to Chevrolet while forming a partnership with Hendrick Motorsports. For next season, Ford is projected to have 10 teams, and Toyota nine.
Fan Take: This manufacturer switch is significant as it could signal a fresh start and potential competitive boost for Rick Ware Racing, long seen as an underdog. For NASCAR fans, the reshuffling of alliances and manufacturer loyalties adds intrigue to the upcoming season, potentially shaking up the competitive dynamics in the Cup Series.
