Cody Ware experienced a severe crash during last Sunday’s Cup Series race in Chicago, crashing into the tire barrier in his No. 51 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Although he was checked and released from the infield care center without any reported injuries, Ware revealed the extent of damage to his car’s safety gear and interior equipment in an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Ware described the impact’s severity, noting,
“Pretty much everything from the interior of the car, as well as my gear, was killed in that impact,”
and added,
“There was a crack in the EPS foam inside the helmet. The HANS device was cracked. The steering wheel got bent up pretty good as well. I think it’s just a testimony to all the safety people that are selling us helmets and HANSes as well as steering wheels from Max Papis.”
Next Gen Car’s Early Safety Concerns and Ware’s 2022 Texas Crash
The Next Gen vehicle has faced significant scrutiny regarding safety since its 2022 introduction, with three major injuries reported in its debut year. Ware himself was involved in a serious accident at Texas Motor Speedway, crashing into the retaining wall on the 168th lap, which caused him to suffer a broken foot and forced him to miss two weeks of competition. His Mustang collided heavily with the tire barrier before bouncing off the pit wall and coming to a stop, marking one of the most dramatic impacts involving the new model.
Impact of Braking Issues and Driver Concerns
Ware revealed that his most recent crash was triggered by brake failure, a problem reported by other drivers including William Byron and Michael McDowell during the same event. The loss of brakes contributed directly to the high-impact collision, which Ware feared might result in another injury similar to his Texas accident. Fortunately, he escaped without serious harm this time.
Reflecting on his experiences, Ware expressed his apprehension during the crash, saying,
“I was pretty worried that whole way to the wall that it was going to be another injury-inducing incident like I had where I broke my foot at Texas. So I think the progress with the safety in the Next Gen car has definitely come a long way.”
Progress in Safety and Recent Injury Trends in NASCAR
Since the troubling injuries in 2022, the frequency and severity of incidents involving the Next Gen car have reduced significantly. In 2023, Noah Gragson was the only driver to suffer a concussion, and in 2024, Erik Jones from Legacy Motor Club endured a broken back after an accident at Talladega. As of early 2025, no major injuries involving the Next Gen car have been reported, signaling improvements in safety measures.
Significance of Safety Upgrades for Drivers and Future Races
Ware’s experiences highlight the ongoing challenges and breakthroughs in NASCAR safety protocols. The contrast between Ware’s 2022 Texas crash and his recent incident demonstrates the advances made in protecting drivers during high-velocity impacts. While Ware does not wish to be a test subject for safety, he acknowledges the efforts by teams and safety manufacturers to strengthen equipment and reduce injury risks. This progress is crucial for driver confidence and the sport’s overall safety as competition continues to intensify.