Cody Ware is back behind the wheel of a race car and anticipates making 10 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series this season.
Ware is spending is late January at Daytona International Speedway racing in several IMSA sports car categories as part of the Rolex 24 festivities. These are his first starts back in the NASCAR adjacent environment since his suspension and subsequent reinstatement in 2023.
He was cleared of felony assault by strangulation and misdemeanor on a female charges but has a reduced racing schedule planned for this season because he lost most of his partners in the aftermath of the original incident.
“Everything’s all done, charges were dropped,” Ware told the Daytona News Journal on Sunday. “I’m ready to move forward with my life and focus on 2024 and beyond. It was a difficult time but I’m just thankful to have it behind me, and the best thing for me is to just focus forward.”
He has driven for the team owned by his father, Rick Ware Racing, since 2017.
Justin Haley has taken over the No. 51 that Ware primarily drove over the years. Kaz Grala has signed to drive the No. 52 for 25 races this season. The team has not announced a driver for that car for the Daytona 500 next month.
Beyond that, this leaves 10 races for Ware in the No. 52 and those are his loose NASCAR plans at this point.
“Not set in stone, but tentatively plans are to be back in the Cup car in April,” Ware said to the Daytona News Journal. “We’re dotting our I’s and crossing out T’s there, with sponsorships and getting everything lined up. After my suspension last year, I lost the majority of my sponsorships, so we’re trying to build everything back up after that.”
Matt Weaver is a Motorsports Insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter.