2023 was a year to forget for team owner Rick Ware of Rick Ware Racing after his son and team driver Cody was suspended indefinitely from NASCAR. That suspension occurred in April after the driver was involved in a physical altercation with his then-girlfriend.
As the end of the year is quickly approaching, Ware seems to have gotten some good news, as the NASCAR sanctioning body officially reinstated the former driver of the No. 51 Ford.
The lifted suspension comes after the assault charges against Ware were dismissed. Both Ware and his former girlfriend decided not to cooperate with prosecutors, according to Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass.
Ware was arrested a week after the pair's April 3rd altercation on charges of assault by strangulation and assault causing serious injury. His ex-girlfriend was later charged with simple assault in September.
Both Ware and his ex-girlfriend's charges were officially dropped this past week by the Iredell County district attorney's office.
Neither party was willing to testify, so the prosecutors were forced to dismiss both filings. The dismissal of charges also saw Ware's family and the Rick Ware Racing team's two civil suits against Ware's former girlfriend thrown out.
Ware has long maintained his innocence in the case and shared that sentiment in a statement following the announcement of his reinstatement.
"I've maintained my innocence from the very beginning, even as there was a rush to judgment by others," Ware said. "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."
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Getting reinstated by NASCAR is a big first step, but Ware likely has a long road ahead, especially given the nature of the accusation against him that was ultimately dismissed. He may have the support of his family and team, but he likely won't win support from fans or the rest of the paddock for quite some time. Will he even drive in NASCAR again? Only time will tell.
