Rick Ware (HHP/Jacy Norgaard via Mike Arning True Speed PR)
HHP/Jacy Norgaard
While NASCAR and two of its teams battle it out in a courtroom across town in a case that could reshape the sport’s future, the manufacturers in the Cup Series have been busy shifting allegiances of their own. And now another team has decided it’s time to switch jerseys.
Rick Ware Racing will trade its blue oval for a bowtie starting in 2026. After weeks of speculation—much of it muffled by the noise coming out of the antitrust trial now rolling into its second week—the team confirmed Monday that it will leave Ford and join Chevrolet next season.
“Chevrolet has always set a high bar with its people, its performance and its passion for racing, and partnering with them gives us the resources and support to make real progress on the racetrack,” team owner Rick Ware said. “Teaming up with RCR and ECR provides a foundation we can build on, not just for 2026, but for the future of our race team. We’re proud to be part of the Chevrolet family.”
The announcement comes shortly after the Haas Factory Team revealed its own move from Ford to Chevrolet for 2026. There are key differences, though: Haas will align with Hendrick Motorsports, while RWR will partner with Richard Childress Racing and ECR Engines. And unlike Haas—which currently exists only in NASCAR—RWR has a far wider footprint, fielding entries not only in NASCAR but also in NHRA, the CARS Tour, and multiple two-wheel series.
“The NASCAR Cup Series is the toughest and most competitive series in motorsports, and this is an important move for the long-term growth of our company,” Ware said. “We’ve won in NHRA, American Flat Track, World Supercross and the CARS Tour, and we want to elevate our NASCAR performance to the level of our other programs.”
No one should expect a sudden transformation into a weekly frontrunner. Switching manufacturers requires a sort of honeymoon period: new chassis support, new engines, new data pipelines. But a partnership with RCR and ECR does give RWR a firmer competitive foundation—more reliable engines, better access to technical resources, and, perhaps most importantly, a stronger pitch to sponsors.
“Rick and his team have shown a real commitment to growing their program, and we’re proud to support that effort alongside our partners at Richard Childress Racing and ECR Engines,” said Pat Suhy, manager of NASCAR Competition for GM Motorsports. “Bringing RWR into the Chevrolet fold is a win for all of us. Their drive to keep improving aligns with our dedication to performance and innovation.”
There’s another layer to the story: T.J. Puchyr, who co-founded Spire Motorsports in 2018, is now the majority owner of Rick Ware Racing. Ware remains a partner, and his son Cody continues to drive the No. 51.
The move to Chevrolet—and the structure behind it—could help RWR move beyond its long-running mid-pack status. Improved performance typically means stronger sponsor interest and rising charter value, all aligning with Puchyr’s stated ambition to expand RWR into a three-car operation. How the team acquires a second and third charter remains an open question, however. After a legal dispute earlier this year between Ware and Jimmie Johnson over the team’s second charter, the sides reached a settlement that keeps that charter leased to Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing through 2027.
After that, it could be anyone’s guess. Charters move around the garage like rare artifacts—everyone wants one, almost no one wants to sell, and the price tags climb higher every season. If RWR does manage to assemble a three-car operation, it could depend on how quickly the move to Chevrolet pays competitive and financial dividends.