NASCAR has reinstated Cup Series driver Cody Ware, who had been suspended since April following an altercation with his then-girlfriend.
Charges against both parties were dropped late last week when both chose not to testify against the other. Ware was arrested in Iredell County, North Carolina a week after their altercation on April 3 on charges of assault by strangulation and assault causing serious injury.
She was charged with simple assault in September.
The dismissal filings in both cases indicate prosecutors could not proceed without their respective testimony. The Ware family and the Rick Ware Racing team had filed civil suits against his now ex-girlfriend and those charges were also dismissed.
According to a FOX Sports report, the counter filings claimed that she “made statements to the police and others that were not true” to negatively affect Ware and the team.
Warrants for Ware’s arrest claimed that he pushed her to the floor, slapped her in the face, strangled her neck, threw a phone at her and threatened to kill her. In her arrest warrant, he claimed she broke her hand by hitting him in the face.
He claims in his lawsuit that the April 3 incident stemmed from an argument that began when she was angry about Ware not wearing a promise ring on the correct finger.
The team claimed in its lawsuit that because of the arrest, Rick Ware Racing lost $3.5 million in sponsorship, including one from Biohaven signed through 2024. The teams also claims spending over $300,000 on drivers to replace Ware the rest of the season.
The lawsuit did not specify the amount sought in damages.
In reinstating Ware, NASCAR says the driver can immediately resume all racing activities.
“I’ve maintained my innocence from the very beginning, even as there was a rush to judgment by others,” Cody Ware said in a statement. “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.”
Matt Weaver is a Motorsports Insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter.