A court has temporarily blocked Rick Ware Racing (RWR) from proceeding with the sale of its NASCAR Cup Series team to T.J. Puchyr while a legal dispute over ownership rights unfolds. The restraining order issued on Thursday will remain in place for ten days, pending further judicial review of Legacy Motor Club’s request for a longer injunction.
This NASCAR Cup Series team sale has become entangled in disagreements over a charter transfer agreement, with Legacy Motor Club claiming to have a signed Charter Purchase Agreement to transfer RWR’s charter to them for the 2026 season, a claim disputed by RWR which states that the contract is meant for 2027.
Ongoing Dispute Between Rick Ware Racing and Legacy Motor Club
Meanwhile, Rick Ware Racing has agreed to a $150 million deal to sell its operation to Puchyr, who Legacy asserts was involved as an independent contractor in brokering the contested charter deal. As tensions rise, RWR’s legal counsel, Mark Henriques, stressed that the team and Puchyr intend to sell their second charter—currently leased to RFK in a separate agreement—to Legacy in 2027.
Keith Forst, attorney for Legacy Motor Club, told the court:
“What we know is that these promises were made and this backdoor transaction was apparently entered into and is apparently a binding agreement, although not yet closed. There is really no harm to defendant whatsoever, and there is tremendous harm to plaintiff Legacy if this closing of these assets in fact happens.”
—Keith Forst, Legacy Motor Club Attorney
In response, Henriques argued that RWR is exercising its rights to continue competing with a single car driven by Rick Ware’s son, Cody, and that Puchyr has agreed to this arrangement if the team sale is completed. He added,
“My clients did exactly what they had the freedom to do, work out a deal that meets the needs of the entity, and enter into a binding transaction that covers the entire business and yet keeps Cody racing. They’re trying to have their cake and eat it too since they lost the first preliminary injunction.”
—Mark Henriques, RWR Counsel
Legal Tensions Cast Uncertainty Over Team’s Future in NASCAR
The current legal proceedings are delaying the team’s sale and creating uncertainty about the future of Rick Ware Racing within the Cup Series. As the court evaluates Legacy’s request for a preliminary injunction, the outcome will likely have significant implications for NASCAR’s team ownership landscape.
This dispute also highlights the complexities involved in charter agreements and team sales in NASCAR, where contractual timing and ownership rights can lead to intense litigation. The resolution will affect not only the parties involved but also the broader competition and team alignment in upcoming seasons.