Rick Ware Racing announced Saturday (April 8) that Cody Ware will be stepping aside from the team’s No. 51 for the NASCAR Cup Series event at the Bristol Motor Speedway dirt race.
RWR said that Ware is stepping away to deal with a personal matter.
In his place, three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Matt Crafton will assume driving duties. Crafton is also set to compete in the Truck race at Bristol Saturday in his full-time ride, the No. 88 at ThorSport Racing.
The 46-year-old will be making his third career Cup start, last competing at Martinsville Speedway in 2019. He has 526 Truck starts and 15 wins to his credit.
No additional comment from the team was given surrounding Ware’s sudden withdrawal. It’s unclear whether he will be granted a NASCAR playoff waiver if needed.
Entering his fifth year with Frontstretch, Luken Glover is the author of The Underdog House, shedding light on the motivation and performance of NASCAR's dark horse teams as they strive to fight to the top. Additionally, Glover reports for the site at various events, and he contributes in the video editing department.
A 2023 graduate of the University of the Cumberlands, Glover is a middle school math and PE teacher, as well as a basketball coach. He is passionate about serving in his church, playing/coaching a wide variety of sports, and researching motorsports history.