Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Autosport
Autosport

NASCAR reinstates driver Cody Ware after assault charges dropped

Ware was indefinitely suspended by NASCAR in April this year after he was arrested and charged with felony assault by strangulation (inflict serious injury), as well as misdemeanour assault on a female.

However, the charges have been dropped by the Iredell County district attorney’s office.

On Tuesday, NASCAR issued a statement that revealed Ware's indefinite suspension has been lifted, and he has been approved to return to all NASCAR racing activity.

Following his reinstatement, Ware said: “I’ve maintained my innocence from the very beginning, even as there was a rush to judgment by others.

“I’m glad this entire matter is behind me because it’s been an incredibly difficult eight months. With all of the allegations being dismissed, I’m thankful to have my life back.”

The 28-year-old has has made 97 Cup Series starts since 2017 with one top-ten finish coming at Daytona, where he finished sixth last August.

All of his appearances have come for his father's Rick Ware Racing outfit, for which he also raced a Ligier JS P2 LMP2 car in the 2019-20 Asian Le Mans Series.

Ryan Newman was one of seven drivers who filled in for Ware (Photo by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Images)

Ware has made one IMSA Sportscar Championship start and three in IndyCar, all in 2021, as part of RWR collaborations with the Eurasia and Dale Coyne Racing squads respectively.

Following Ware's suspension, seven different drivers filled in behind the wheel of his #51 Ford Mustang.

Matt Crafton, Ryan Newman, Zane Smith, J.J. Yeley, Todd Gilliland, Andy Lally, and Cole Custer each took turns, with Yeley taking its best finish of 11th at Talladega.

Rick Ware Racing signed Justin Haley earlier this year, but has yet to announce a 2024 driver for its second full-time entry.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.