T.J. Puchyr Returns to NASCAR with the Purchase of Rick Ware’s Team
One of the founders of Spire Motorsports has finalized an agreement to acquire the NASCAR team owned by Rick Ware, marking his return to the stock car racing series. Puchyr, motivated by his belief in the underestimated value of the current charters, seeks to revitalize the organization and compete in the top category. T.J. Puchyr, who co-founded Spire Motorsports in 2018, has reached an agreement with Rick Ware Racing to take control of their team next season. Puchyr’s decision to return to NASCAR is based on his conviction that charters, essential for guaranteeing participation in each race and securing income, do not reflect their true value in the current market.In the agreement with Ware, Puchyr plans to keep Ware as a partner, retain Cody Ware, Rick’s son, in the number 51 car, and retain all current RWR employees. Ware’s second charter is currently leased to RFK Racing. However, Legacy Motor Club made a legal claim over an agreement to purchase that charter next season. Puchyr is confident that the second charter, currently leased to RFK, will return to his team in 2027, which will allow him to expand the organization. His goal is to acquire a third charter to turn the team into a three-car structure by 2027. Ware has completed the second-highest number of charter transactions in the industry, surpassed only by Spire. Now, Ware seeks to rebuild its organization and win races with his son as a driver, something Puchyr is willing to support.I am excited to build a three-car team. I believe in the France family and the direction of the sport, and I want the rest of the shareholders and the industry to know that I believe the charters are worth $75 million or more.
T.J. Puchyr
Puchyr did not disclose the amount of the acquisition of Ware’s team, which technically only owns the charter for Cody Ware’s car this season and competes with Corey Lajoie in a second “open” car in select races. Once they regain their leased charter from RFK in 2027, the team will have at least two cars, with the goal of acquiring a third. The acquisition of charters is a complex process, as several teams show interest but lack the necessary funds to acquire them at current, constantly increasing prices.I have won in everything I have done at all levels and I think we can compete with these guys. I think we can build it brick by brick and that it will take people, money and time. It doesn’t escape me that (RWR) is the car in the 36th position in the garage, we all see it. But I think we can turn this into a competitive, even winning organization.
T.J. Puchyr
