Ware was replaced by Matt Crafton in the No. 51 car for the Bristol dirt race on Sunday night.
James GilbertGetty ImagesNASCAR Cup Series driver Cody Ware was missing from Sunday’s Nights race at Bristol, and it looks like he’s going to be out a while.
According to NASCAR.com, Ware has been suspended indefinitely following an arrest in Iredell County, North Carolina. TV station WSOC Channel 9 in Charlotte is reporting that Ware was booked into custody on Monday for charges of assault on a female and assault by strangulation, inflicting serious injury. The station reported that Ware’s bond was set at $3,000.
In his place, Matt Crafton drove the No. 51 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing in the dirt race at Bristol. Crafton finished 34th.
Cody Ware, 27, is the son of team owner Rick Ware. Cody has made 97 career Cup Series starts since his debut in 2017.
Rick Ware racing posted a tweet to its social media followers, saying, “Cody Ware will step away from racing this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway to focus on a personal matter. Matt Crafton will drive the No. 51 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing. Crafton has more than 500 overall-starts in his NASCAR career, winning back-to-back NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championships in 2013 and 2014.
“The Ware family asks that their privacy be respected during this time.”
Statement from Rick Ware Racing
Cody Ware will step away from racing this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway to focus on a personal matter. Matt Crafton will drive the No. 51 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing. Crafton has more than 500 overall-starts in his NASCAR career, winning… pic.twitter.com/hUURe7RM6Q
— Rick Ware Racing (@RickWareRacing) April 8, 2023
Mike Pryson Mike Pryson covered auto racing for the Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot and MLive Media Group from 1991 until joining Autoweek in 2011.
Keyword: NASCAR Cup Driver Cody Ware Arrested, Handed Indefinite Suspension