Cody Ware reacts to NASCAR delay in throwing caution after violent crash at Chicago

At the end of the Chicago Street Race, Cody Ware slammed into the Turn 6 tire barrier, and NASCAR held the caution flag. The flag did come out, but not until 30+ seconds after the wreck, and not until Shane van Gisbergen took the white flag.

Cody Ware was having a decent day on the track. Then, that was all over with two laps to go in the race. Ware had a brake rotor problem that made it impossible to slow down. He slammed headfirst into the tire barrier at 90+ MPH.

After the race, Ware spoke about the incident. Many NASCAR fans feel that officials didn’t do right by him by holding the caution. Ware seems more upset that his good day was ended at the last moment.

“Yeah, so, we had an awesome day. … Track position, strategy, we just kept working our way through the field,” Ware told Frontstretch after the race. “Unfortunately, I did put us in a bad spot after qualifying and had to work our way up there. Thought we had a solid top-15 day, we were running in the top-10, close to the top-10 towards the end of that race, and stayed out on old tires. But was able to hold on.

“Unfortunately, sort of picking up a left front chatter towards those last couple of laps before the rotor blew. So, not sure if it’s the chicken before the egg, but definitely whatever was going on with that left front is what ended up finally giving in on that car.”

NASCAR had been holding onto the caution flag for most of the day. Drivers were given ample time to get turned around whenever they hit the barriers or got spun out. But, looking at the replay, speed, and damage to his car, it felt like the Cody Ware wreck was open and shut. A caution should have come out earlier, but didn’t.

“Yeah, I mean, especially given the speed of how fast we were going into the barrier. You know, obviously, I’m not going anywhere, there’s not much I can do at that point,” Ware said. “Obviously, at that point, I’m just focused on getting out of the car and getting to a safe spot. But thought it was a great race, thought everyone was actually racing really good, really clean all day. For it being on a street course, I think everyone was on their A-game. And so, had a lot of fun today, obviously, a pretty crappy end to the day but looking forward to taking what we learned today and moving on to Sonoma.”

NASCAR did not throw the caution flag for half a minute. Cody Ware even asked for help on the radio after the wreck. While it is unclear if he meant for himself or for getting his car out, that is concerning.

Ware is handling to situation pretty well. Rick Ware Racing will try to repeat their speed and performance this week at Sonoma.