Editor’s note: Today’s Rick Ware Racing preview continues NASCAR.com’s countdown of team previews for the 2026 Cup Series season.
RICK WARE RACING
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Engine: ECR Engines
Driver-crew chief pairings: Cody Ware-Billy Plourde (No. 51)
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Team outlook: Rick Ware Racing will switch to Chevrolet ahead of the 2026 Cup Series season after fielding Ford entries since 2022. To go along with the new General Motors partnership, RWR will begin a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing and use ECR Engines. This move could elevate the No. 51 team’s performance and put them on the right track toward being more competitive at NASCAR’s premier level.
RELATED: Rick Ware Racing switches to Chevrolet for 2026, forms alliance with RCR
CODY WARE, NO. 51 CHEVROLET
Experience: Two full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series; 142 starts
2025 stats: 36th in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 top 10s, 0 poles, 32 laps led
2026 championship odds (DraftKings): 200-1
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Driver outlook: In his first full Cup Series season since 2022, Ware’s 2025 campaign was challenging, but he had two standout performances at a pair of drafting-style tracks. His best finish of the year was 13th in the summer race at EchoPark Speedway, but his most memorable was the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway with an opportunity to win his way into the playoffs. Although Ware settled for a 20th-place finish at the 2.5-mile superspeedway in Daytona Beach, he shone under the Florida lights by leading 23 laps and holding his ground against other drivers looking to make a last-ditch postseason push. Looking ahead to 2026, the goal for Ware should be simple: show progress compared to last year and take full advantage of the new alliances with Chevrolet and RCR to push the No. 51 Chevrolet further up the grid.
MORE: Cody Ware driver page
