In the days leading up to the race weekend at Dover Motor Speedway, NASCAR driver Cody Ware showcased his enthusiasm for collecting rare Pokémon cards by revealing two noteworthy additions to his vintage set. Among these were a 2001 Houndoom Neo Revelation Holo and a 2002 Shining Tyranitar Neo Destiny card, which he shared with fans on social media.
The 29-year-old full-time Ford Mustang driver for Rick Ware Racing is preparing to compete at Dover after a challenging race at Sonoma Raceway, where a tire failure on lap 96 resulted in a 34th-place finish. Following that incident, two members of his pit crew faced suspension for the next two races, including the Dover event.
On July 18, Ware posted on Instagram highlighting his latest collectible cards, writing:
“New additions to the vintage collection.”
In the upcoming AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400, Ware will compete against 36 fellow NASCAR drivers. Among them is JJ Yeley, who enters as the only open car competitor with the #44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet. Ware has faced setbacks recently, including a high-speed crash during the Chicago street race two weeks earlier, where he collided with the tire barrier in turn six.
The Dover race is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. ET on July 20 and will feature the fourth round of the In-Season Challenge. However, Ware did not qualify for one of the 32 spots in that challenge.
After completing 20 races this season, Ware has yet to secure a top-10 finish. This year marks his return to full-time competition in the NASCAR Cup Series since last season.
Cody Ware Reflects on His Recovery Following Chicago Crash
After the harrowing crash at the Chicago street race, Cody Ware provided fans with an update on his condition via social media. He was cleared to compete the following weekend at Sonoma Raceway and expressed gratitude toward his pit crew for their efforts in repairing his car.
During the Chicago race, Ware was positioned 18th when a brake rotor failure occurred on a long straight just before turn six during the penultimate lap. Rather than risking further damage, he controlled the vehicle by riding the wall before finally crashing into the tire barrier. Importantly, Ware was able to exit his car unassisted.
Addressing the incident, he wrote on Instagram:
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out the last couple days and checked on me. Praise the Lord for keeping me safe during that wreck, blowing a rotor at Chicago was not a fun experience. Huge thanks to my team and all the mechanics working on these cars to keep me safe, and all of the safety equipment that I was wearing. We had a fast @arbys cheesesteak Ford all day!!! Ready to take what we learned and hit it at Sonoma.” —Cody Ware, NASCAR Driver
In that Sonoma race, Ware finished 26th. Shane van Gisbergen, known as SVG, claimed victory in the Cup Series event, followed by Ty Gibbs and Tyler Reddick. Van Gisbergen also won the previous day’s Xfinity Series race, completing a weekend sweep for the New Zealand driver.
Upcoming Challenges and What Lies Ahead for Cody Ware
With the Dover race approaching, Ware faces the difficult task of improving his standing despite recent adversities. The suspension of two pit crew members due to the earlier incident at Sonoma adds pressure to his team dynamic. Meanwhile, the competition remains fierce as he contends with seasoned drivers such as JJ Yeley and fresh-season leaders like Ty Gibbs and Tyler Reddick.
Successfully completing the 20th race without any top-10 results highlights the challenges Ware is working to overcome during his full-time return to NASCAR Cup Series racing. His commitment to his hobbies, like collecting the highly sought-after Cody Ware rare Pokémon cards, offers fans a glimpse into his personal interests beyond the track, fostering a deeper connection ahead of this critical part of the season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Cody Ware get suspended?
A. Ware was accused of attacking his girlfriend at the time, but she was also accused of assault, and her charge was later dropped. According to Fox Sports, a civil lawsuit related to the incident will also be dismissed. He stated, “I have always insisted I am innocent, even when others quickly judged me.”