Cody Ware’s Full-Time Return to NASCAR Cup Series: A North Carolina Native’s 2025 Season
Cody Ware, a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, is making headlines in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series with his first full-time campaign at the highest level of stock car racing. After a turbulent few years, Ware has returned to the sport with renewed determination, competing behind the wheel of the No. 51 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Rick Ware Racing—his father’s team.
With pivotal performances, personal redemption, and the drive to prove himself among NASCAR’s elite, Cody Ware’s story is one of resilience, opportunity, and homegrown pride.
Greensboro Roots and NASCAR Heritage
Born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, Cody Ware carries both a deep personal and professional connection to his home state. His father, Rick Ware, owns Rick Ware Racing, the team Cody now represents full-time.
This bond has helped shape Cody’s path through motorsports, from early beginnings to his 2025 resurgence in the Cup Series. North Carolina, often considered the heart of NASCAR culture, is more than a location for Ware—it’s the foundation of his identity as a driver. His return in 2025 symbolizes not just a comeback, but a renewal rooted in family, tradition, and Southern grit.
Return to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series marks Cody Ware’s first-ever full-time schedule in the sport’s premier division. Previously, Ware had competed on a part-time basis, but this season he is fully committed to all races in the No. 51 Ford Mustang Dark Horse.
This move is significant not only for Ware’s career progression but also for Rick Ware Racing, which has shown confidence in Cody’s ability to perform on a consistent, high-level stage. The full-time status gives Ware the runway to improve week by week and secure his position as a regular contender on the circuit.
Career-Best Finish at Daytona in 2024
During the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series, Cody Ware competed in nine races, with a standout performance at Daytona where he finished a career-best fourth place. This result was a breakthrough moment, affirming his potential and placing him in the national spotlight. For a driver whose past results had mostly flown under the radar, this top-five finish sent a clear message: Ware could hold his own among the best in the sport.
The Daytona performance has become a springboard for his full-time 2025 campaign, fueling optimism for more breakthrough runs as the season unfolds.
Suspension and Reinstatement in 2023
Ware’s journey back to full-time competition has not been without adversity. In 2023, he faced a suspension from NASCAR due to an off-track incident. However, after the charges against him were dropped, NASCAR reinstated him, allowing for a clean slate heading into 2024 and beyond.
This period tested Ware’s mental and emotional resilience, as he stepped away from the driver’s seat amid public scrutiny. His eventual return speaks to a rededicated focus and maturity. The 2025 season stands as a second chance—one he intends to fully capitalize on with renewed intensity and gratitude for the opportunity.
Driving the No. 51 Ford Mustang Dark Horse
In 2025, Cody Ware is piloting the No. 51 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, a car that symbolizes both technological advancement and personal legacy. Rick Ware Racing has strategically chosen the Dark Horse variant to improve their competitive edge.
This model brings enhancements in horsepower, aerodynamics, and handling—factors that give Cody the tools he needs to perform well across a variety of tracks. For Cody, this car isn’t just a ride—it’s a platform to prove himself and deliver results that reflect both personal growth and team evolution.
Consistent Performance Throughout the 2025 Season
As the 2025 season moves into its critical stages, Cody Ware has showcased consistent, if not headline-grabbing, performances. One of the highlights includes a 25th-place finish at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte—a grueling test of driver stamina and team coordination.
While not a podium finish, completing this race in the top 25 demonstrates Ware’s steady hand and reliability over long distances. These results build the groundwork for future improvement, laying the foundation for competitiveness and helping the team gather data to sharpen strategies for the remaining races of the year.
Emotional and Professional Redemption
Cody Ware’s 2025 campaign is about more than points or finishes—it’s a personal and professional redemption arc. After the challenges of 2023, his full-time return is an opportunity to redefine his image and showcase growth both on and off the track.
Each race presents a new chance to silence critics and affirm his commitment to the sport. Ware has embraced this chapter with humility and hunger, aware that consistency, professionalism, and perseverance will earn him long-term respect in the garage and the grandstands alike.
Family-Owned Team, Family-Fueled Drive
Cody Ware’s story cannot be told without highlighting the role of Rick Ware Racing. As a team owned by his father, this partnership goes beyond business—it’s deeply personal. The team’s support of Cody through highs and lows, including his suspension and return, reflects a belief in his long-term potential.
Rick Ware Racing’s decision to give Cody the No. 51 seat full-time underscores their faith in his abilities and growth. That trust is being repaid race by race as Cody matures into a driver capable of bringing competitive results and professional accountability to the team’s future.
Daytona Success Setting the Bar
The fourth-place finish at Daytona in 2024 remains a crucial benchmark for Cody Ware. As he navigates the full 2025 calendar, that single result serves as motivation and proof of concept.
Daytona is notoriously unpredictable, but surviving and excelling in that chaos shows Ware has both the technical skill and composure under pressure. It was the clearest signal yet that he can capitalize on opportunity and bring his car home near the front. Every week in 2025, that finish stands as a reminder of what’s possible and a standard to chase.
North Carolina Fans and Local Support
Cody Ware’s North Carolina roots make him a favorite among local fans, particularly those who’ve followed his journey since the early days. His presence brings pride to Greensboro and reinforces the state’s role as NASCAR’s heartland.
For racing fans in North Carolina looking to enhance their viewing experience, exploring the best sportsbook promos in North Carolina can add an extra layer of excitement to each race day. Cody’s every lap, pit stop, and pass carries a personal connection to those who see him as one of their own chasing greatness on the national stage.
Looking Ahead to the Rest of 2025
As the 2025 season progresses, Cody Ware has a clear mission: keep building. Every finish, from 25th at Charlotte to higher placements at upcoming superspeedways or road courses, adds to his momentum. His goals remain practical—complete races, improve track position, and reduce mistakes. But underlying those basics is a deeper drive to prove his full-time spot is deserved.
The second half of the season will test him with new tracks and tighter fields, but it also brings chances to shine, especially with the tools and support Rick Ware Racing continues to invest in his journey.