T.J. Puchyr Returns to NASCAR with the Purchase of Rick Ware’s Team
The world of motorsports is shaken by the announcement of the acquisition of Rick Ware’s NASCAR team by T.J. Puchyr, one of the founders of Spire Motorsports. Puchyr, motivated by the belief that the current charters are undervalued, returns to the stock car racing series with an ambitious vision. In 2018, Puchyr and Jeff Dickerson founded Spire, acquiring the charter that Furniture Row Racing couldn’t sell. This bold decision revitalized the charter market, which subsequently experienced a significant increase in its value. Puchyr, who sold his shares of Spire last year, has been advising several teams and closely observing the market. His knowledge of the sector has led him to conclude that charters are undervalued.In the agreement with Ware, Puchyr plans to keep Ware as a partner, Cody Ware, son of Rick, in the number 51 car, and all current RWR personnel. Ware’s second charter is currently leased to RFK Racing. 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, with an extensive background in charter transactions, will seek to rebuild his organization and achieve victories with his son as a driver, a goal that Puchyr intends to support.I am convinced that I want to build a three-car team. I believe in the France family and in 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 purchase of the Ware team, which currently only owns the charter for Cody Ware’s car and participates in select races with a second “open” car driven by Corey Lajoie. With the recovery of the leased charter from RFK in 2027, the team will have at least two cars, with the aim of acquiring a third. The acquisition of charters presents challenges, as several teams express interest but lack the financial resources needed to acquire them at current prices.I’ve won in everything I’ve done at all levels and I think we can compete with these guys. I think we can build it brick by brick and it will take people, money and time. It doesn’t escape me that (RWR) is the car in the 36th garage, we all see it. But I think we can turn this into a competitive, even winning organization.
T.J. Puchyr
