Report: Spire Motorsports co-founder Puchyr to buy Rick Ware Racing

T.J. Puchyr, one of the founders of Spire Motorsports, and Rick Ware have an agreement for Puchyr to purchase the team, according to a report from the Associated Press.

The deal is for the 2026 season, and the plan is to expand to a three-car NASCAR Cup Series operation, with Ware remaining involved and all Ware employees being retained. Cody Ware, who drives the team’s primary car, the No. 51, would also remain.

“I am bullish on wanting to build a three-car team,” Puchyr told the AP. “I believe in the France family and the direction of the sport and I want the rest of the shareholders and industry to know that I believe the charters are worth $75 million or more.

Ware owns two charters. As the team competes with one, for Cody Ware, the other is currently being leased to RFK Racing. A charter can be leased for one year and then returned to the team that owns it.

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“If anybody deserves a pass it is Jimmie [Johnson] and if he wants to sit down and talk about it like men, I’d entertain the conversation,” Puchyr told the AP about Johnson, who is the owner of Legacy Motor Club. “I don’t think Jimmie has all the facts, doesn’t understand the deal we had, and they tried to humiliate Rick publicly. We don’t do business that way.”

Puchyr sold his shares of Spire Motorsports last year to Dan Towriss, the CEO of TWG Motorsports. Since then, he has served in a consulting role for various teams, including Rick Ware and Legacy Motor Club.

Rick Ware Racing couldn’t be reached for comment on the Associated Press report.