Rick Ware Racing found itself in a precarious position earlier this year when NASCAR suspended Cody Ware. The driver of the No. 51 car was facing criminal charges. And so, with no full-time drivers signed and the threat of losing their charter due to being in the bottom 3 for the last 2 years, RWR was in a challenging spot.

However, in a recent development, NASCAR announced its decision not to repossess Rick Ware Racing’s #51 charter. Their decision will stand even if it finishes in the bottom three of charter teams this year. But the surprising move has ignited a fierce debate among fans, leaving many divided over NASCAR’s choice.

What made NASCAR decide not to repossess Rick Ware Racing’s #51 charter?

The charter conundrum arises from NASCAR’s rule stating that it reserves the right to repossess any charter that finishes as one of the bottom three chartered teams in owner points for three consecutive years. RWR made a strategic move in the off-season to navigate this situation, swapping the No. 15 and No. 51 charters around. This meant that the No. 51 had the No. 15’s charter, and the No. 15 had the No. 51’s charter. The No. 15 team had finished in the bottom three in the previous two years, putting the No. 51 team in a precarious position for this year.

However, earlier this season, Cody Ware’s suspension resulted in Ryan Newman taking the seat of the #51 car. But the #51 team still finds itself in the 34th position, below NASCAR’s threshold. Just when the future seemed uncertain for the #51 charter, NASCAR said that it would not repossess the charter. The racing world was abuzz with speculation. NASCAR’s decision seemed to stem from RWR’s alliance with RFK Racing, its use of Roush Yates Engines, and the recent signing of Justin Haley.

These moves indicated a commitment to performance and growth, as emphasized by respected FOX Sports journalist Bob Pockrass in his tweet, “NASCAR says it will not repossess Rick Ware Racing No. 51 charter even if in the bottom three of charter teams this year. It’d be NASCAR’s option and rule designed to prevent start-and-park. RWR’s RFK alliance, use of Roush Yates Engines, signing Haley shows commitment to performance.”

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This decision from NASCAR attracted mixed emotions from the racing fans as some were left scratching their heads.

The racing fans have mixed feelings about NASCAR’s choice not to repossess the charter

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NASCAR’s decision, while welcomed by some, left many fans with mixed feelings. On one side, supporters of Cody Ware and Rick Ware Racing rejoiced that the charter would remain in their hands. On the other side, some fans questioned the fairness of the decision.

As the news broke, fans took to Twitter to share their opinions. One disappointed fan expressed his desire for NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr to have a shot at purchasing the charter, saying, “Well darn. Give @DaleJr a chance to purchase it at a reasonable price.” This sentiment was echoed by those who believed that the charter could be put to better use, particularly given the current value of charters in NASCAR.

Conversely, there were fans who supported NASCAR’s decision, arguing that it was the right choice. One fan pointed out, “It’s the right decision, but NASCAR should make it clear that if that charter finishes bottom 3 again next year, it will be repossessed without hesitation.” Others defended NASCAR’s stance and the efforts made by RWR to improve their performance. One fan commented, “Good. I know people will complain, but they’ve come a long way as an organization since 2020. Fans just love to reuse the same punching bags regardless of what changes.”

However, NASCAR’s decision did not please everyone. Some fans accused NASCAR of bending its own rules, claiming that they should have repossessed the charter. One fan expressed this sentiment clearly, stating, “Another NASCAR decision of not following the rules that everybody else has to follow.”

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There were a few who felt that RWR should have shown commitment to performance from the beginning, rather than at the last moment. One fan criticized RWR’s approach, saying, “L move by NASCAR. What’s the point of having the rule then? Why did RWR wait until the end of year 3 and suddenly say ‘We’re committed’? They should’ve been committed since day 1. Now the sport is stuck seeing them run dead last instead of giving the charter to a deserving team.” Do you think NASCAR made the right choice? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.