Cody Shane Ware Set For NASCAR Nationwide Series Debut With Rick Ware Racing

Cody Shane Ware Set For NASCAR Nationwide Series Debut With Rick Ware Racing

Topics: Cody Shane Ware, Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200

Cody Shane Ware Set For NASCAR Nationwide Series Debut With Rick Ware Racing

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
Rick Ware Racing
August 13, 2014

Cody Shane Ware driver of the No. 23 38 Special / Lilly Trucking Chevrolet Camaro for Rick Ware Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

LEXINGTON, Ohio (August 13, 2014) - - Officials from Rick Ware Racing (RWR) announced today that 18-year old racecar driver Cody Ware will make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut this Saturday from Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in the Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200.

Ware, a former Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) competitor will drive the No. 23 38 Special / Lilly Trucking Chevrolet Camaro for his father, longtime NASCAR owner and former driver Rick Ware.

It seems only fitting for the teenager to make his Nationwide Series debut on a road course. This season, the third-generation driver has been competing in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Series, where he has earned two wins in his Lamborghini Super Trofeo class and placing third overall at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International twice.

Ware is hoping he can apply those road racing skills in the final road course race of the season.

“I am very excited to finally be making my NASCAR Nationwide Series debut this weekend,” said Cody Ware. “The fact that I will be getting to race for my family makes it even greater. I am extremely grateful for everything and everyone that has made this possible.

“Mike Vazquez and 38 Special have made this race possible for me, they have been extremely good to me throughout the year, and I want to show them how much I appreciate their belief in me with a good run on Saturday. I also have to thank Dennis and Sharon Lilly from Lilly Trucking for their continued support of RWR and helping us get to the track not only this weekend, but for the last several years.”

With a strong field on deck for the 2.25-mile, 13-turn course, Ware is hoping to play their strategy right and be in contention for a top-15 finish in the 22nd race of the year.

“I know Saturday won’t be easy, but we’re up for the challenge,” Ware added. “Our team had a strong run at Road America with Kevin O’Connell in June and I think if we play our cards right we could find ourselves in a similar spot. While we strive to have goals on Saturday, the most important thing for me and our team is see the checkered flag.”

For car owner and father Rick Ware, Saturday’s race will be one of the greatest moments of his racing career.

“It is very exciting to be at the track and have my son, Cody drive for my team,” offered Rick Ware. “My father made his NASCAR debut in 1982 and I made mine in 1983 at Riverside (Calif.) Raceway. This is our family business and it has taken a lot of help from family, friends and sponsors to make this happen for Cody Shane. I believe he can be patient and learn something every lap in his Nationwide debut. Most of all, I hope he can take it all in, have fun and realize what a privilege it is to run a NASCAR Nationwide Series and be a part of the NASCAR family. There is only one first race. I think he’ll make the best of it!”

The Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 (90 Laps / 203.22 miles) is set for Saturday August 16, 2014. The third and final road course race of the year is scheduled to air live on ESPN, the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel 90 beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern.

For more on Cody Shane Ware, follow him @CodyShaneWare.

Rick Ware Racing is on Twitter. Follow them @RickWareRacing.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Lisa Ware, Rick Ware Racing
lrware@aol.com
Direct: 336.210.6411