T.J. Puchyr, co-founder of Spire Motorsports, is back in the NASCAR Cup Series spotlight with a big move: buying Rick Ware Racing in the midst of charter drama.
It’s not making headlines yet, but inside the garage, it’s buzzing. Puchyr’s back in team ownership and he’s coming in big with plans to rebuild and expand a team that’s struggled for years . All while navigating a messy legal battle that could complicate everything.
The timing is wild. RWR is currently in a legal fight with Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club over a disputed charter deal. Legacy says it bought Charter 27 for the 2026 season. RWR insists the agreement was for Charter 36 and not until 2027.
Charter 36 is currently leased to RFK Racing through 2026 while the future of Charter 27 is now in litigation. A North Carolina judge refused to block the sale in April but the lawsuit is still very much alive.
“I am bullish on wanting to build a three-car team,” he said to the Associated Press (AP).“I believe in the France family and the direction of the sport, and I want the rest of the shareholders and industry to know that I believe the charters are worth $75 million or more.”
At the heart of his plan is a belief that NASCAR’s current charter system is undervalued. And he thinks it’s grossly undervalued. That’s what’s driving his whole investment.
Rick Ware isn’t going anywhere, though. He’ll stay involved with the team even as ownership changes hands.
Puchyr wants to have three full-time cars by 2027. Whether that includes Rick’s son Cody Ware is unclear. Cody has been the face of RWR’s #51 car since 2019 but results have been hard to come by. Just one top 10 in 2024 and a 32nd place standing in owner points has many wondering if a driver change is coming.
“Rest in pieces Cody Ware’s career,” one Reddit user bluntly posted, reflecting growing speculation about his future. The implications are big especially for RFK Racing. They currently run a third car (#60) thanks to a lease from RWR. If Puchyr gets both charters by 2027 RFK may be left scrambling , or scaling back.
With lawsuits pending, leases in flux and no long-term extension to the charter agreement NASCAR’s move is a bet on the future of team ownership in the Cup Series. Whether it pays off will depend on how the legal pieces fall and if Rick Ware Racing can finally get out of the underdog role and become a contender.
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