Rick Ware Racing makes inspired choice for its full-time driver in 2025

Rick Ware Racing has found its full-time driver for 2025. 

On Wednesday, the team announced that Cody Ware, son of team owner Rick Ware, will pilot the No. 51 full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025. 

Cody Ware has 106 Cup Series starts to his credit, with an average finish of 29.7 in those starts. While he is yet to run a full 36-race season, he started 35 of 36 races in 2022 and 32 of 36 races in 2021. 2024 was Ware's best season yet, as he had an average finish of 21.0 in nine starts, including a career-best finish of fourth at Daytona in August. 

Ware worked with crew chief Billy Plourde in 2024, and their solid results together resulted in Plourde being named Ware's crew chief for their 2025 campaign. 

In addition to Ware's body of work in the Cup Series, the 29-year-old boasts 28 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and seven starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. His average finishes in those series are 26.7 and 23.1, respectively. 

Rick Ware Racing's second entry, the No. 15 car, is set to be driven by a variety of drivers throughout the 2025 season. With the No. 15 car's charter being leased, the car will run as an open entry.