We took a look at Rick Ware Racing’s options for their second car in 2024 a while back, but, with more information and recent reports, it’s time to give this car a second look. Rumor is that this car will take a lot of funding per race in 2024, so, it will take a driver with funding to race in this car. Bob Pockrass also reported that the car will likely have more than one driver.
There is also the issue of the charter, which has a recent report from Pockrass about what will happen there. So, with this in mind, what will happen with the Rick Ware Racing car in 2025? Which drivers are candidates to drive part-time in 2025?
We explained the charter issue in detail in the article linked below, but the paraphrased version is that one charter owned by Rick Ware Racing is in danger of finishing in the bottom three in owner’s points for three years in a row. As a result, NASCAR has the right to revoke that charter, but, will that actually happen? Bob Pockrass reports that NASCAR will not repossess the charter.
Josh Bilicki brought some sponsorship with him to Live Fast Motorsports this season, and he has quietly been a very solid driver on road courses. He recorded a top-25 finish at the Chicago Street Race, and he has an Xfinity Series top-10 this year at Road America. He could be a good road course driver for RWR this year, and that could be an interesting pairing with Justin Haley, who has shown flashes of brilliance on road courses.
Riley Herbst has re-signed with Stewart-Haas Racing for a full-time 2024 season in the Xfinity Series. That does not stop him from a part-time ride with Rick Ware Racing, especially with the funding he may have behind him. He drove for the team in the Daytona 500, and he finished 10th. It’s not out of the question he could be asked back again, especially with his performance at Front Row Motorsports.
J.J. Yeley has run 24 races this season for Rick Ware Racing, and he has been a steady presence for the team throughout this season. This includes a top-10 at Atlanta, which was his first in the Cup Series since 2013. If he can pony up the funding, he may come back, however, he may come back with fewer races with the potential uptick in price per race.
Cole Custer has run six races this season for Rick Ware this season, and he is already a Ford driver with some funding behind him. However, Custer may have the potential to move to the Cup Series full-time for Stewart-Haas Racing should Almirola retire. However, if that does not work out, then maybe Rick Ware part-time could be his spot.
Andy Lally has been a presence for the team on road courses, so, could he come back again? If someone like Josh Bilicki were to join the team part-time, then there may not be a place for Lally. Then again, Lally has a relationship with the team already, and they may not want to change it.
Who will drive for Rick Ware Racing in 2024? If there are multiple drivers who drive part-time, are there more drivers not included on this list?
