Rick Ware Racing to Compete in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series in 2017

Robert Laberge/Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images 

Rick Ware Racing will return to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2017 beginning in the 59th Annual Daytona 500. The team will field an non-chartered entry in the season opening race at Daytona next month. The team acquired the assets from Tommy Baldwin Racing following the teams ceasing of operations. Rick Ware Racing will field the #51 Chevrolet SS with Timmy Hill, The team joins Gaunt Brothers Racing and Tommy Baldwin Racing as teams who will attempt the Daytona 500. Rick Ware Racing will field a car in a full 36 race schedule with a list of different drivers. Hill will be the first driver to pilot the #51 with names like Stanton Barrett, Kevin O'Connell, and Rick's son Cody being on the list to pilot the #51 in 2017, many of those drivers have been with Ware for many years.

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Rick Ware has been within NASCAR for many years including having a driving career. Ware made 1 start in the NASCAR Premier Series in 1990 where he finished 36th. Most of his success though has been from the office side of the sport owning a car. Ware has most recently fielded cars in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for drivers from Stanton Barrett to Josh Wise.
Joe Lax will be on the pit box for the #51 entry. Lax previously worked with Tommy Baldwin Racing. Lax has been on the pit box for 45 races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with drivers like Johnny Benson, Jeremy Mayfield, Mike Skinner, Victor Gonzalez Jr., and JJ Yeley. Lax worked with JJ Yeley in 33 races when Yeley raced for Tommy Baldwin Jr. in 2013. He gained a Top-10 in the 2013 Daytona 500 with Yeley. Lax worked with Rick Ware Racing in 2016 as the crew chief
Timmy Hill the first driver to pilot the #51 for Rick Ware Racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series next month, has a total of 48 starts in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with a best finish of 22nd at Kansas in 2012. Hill made his Cup Series debut at Las Vegas in 2012 with Rick Ware where he finished 42nd after a crash ended his day early after just 42 laps. Hill has experience in all three of NASCAR's Top Divisions with 103 starts coming in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and just 20 starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Hill has a combined three career Top-10 finishes with two coming in the Xfinity Series and one coming in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Rick Ware Racing will attempt all races without a charter much like Wood Brothers Racing did in 2016. Due to the fact of not having one specified driver, the team will not be chase eligible but will still be eligible for the Owners Chase. Stay tuned to The Motorsports News Source for all of your latest news about Rick Ware Racing and The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. (Koelle,2017)