Zane Smith to Replace Suspended Cody Ware in No. 51 Ford

In a shocking turn of events, NASCAR Cup Series driver Cody Ware has been suspended indefinitely from NASCAR after being arrested on charges of assault on a female and assault by strangulation inflicting serious injury. The incident occurred at a residence in Mooresville, one week prior to his arrest. As a result, Zane Smith will replace Ware and drive the No. 51 Ford this weekend for Rick Ware Racing at Martinsville Speedway. Let's dive deeper into this situation and what it means for both drivers and their teams.

Cody Ware's Suspension

The Iredell County Sheriff's Office incident report indicates that Cody Ware was arrested on Monday after an incident that occurred at a residence in Mooresville. Ware is no longer in custody after being released on $3,000 bond. It was not clear if Ware had an attorney who could comment on his behalf. The police report obtained by The Associated Press indicated the incident took place on April 3 just before midnight. Because it is a domestic violence situation, no other details of the incident have been made available.

The suspension from NASCAR comes as a shock to fans and the racing community, as Ware has been a regular driver in the Cup Series since 2017. In his 97 career starts, his best finish was sixth place last August at Daytona International Speedway. Ware is currently 31st in the Cup standings.

Zane Smith to Replace Ware

With Cody Ware suspended indefinitely, Zane Smith will make his fifth career Cup start driving the No. 51 Ford this weekend for Rick Ware Racing at Martinsville Speedway. Smith has nine career wins, including two this season, in the Truck Series. This is a great opportunity for Smith to prove himself at the Cup level and possibly secure a full-time ride in the future.

The team has not said who would drive the No. 51 beyond Martinsville, leaving fans to speculate about the future of the car. Will Smith continue to drive for the team, or will they bring in another driver for the remaining races? Only time will tell.

About Zane Smith

Zane Smith is a 21-year-old American stock car racing driver from Huntington Beach, California. He has competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. In 2020, Smith competed in the Truck Series for GMS Racing and finished second in the championship. Smith made his first Cup Series start in 2020 at the Daytona Road Course for Richard Petty Motorsports, finishing 37th after being involved in an early accident.

Smith's performance in the Truck Series has been impressive, with nine career wins and finishing second in the championship in 2020. This will be his fifth career Cup start, and fans are eager to see how he performs at Martinsville Speedway.

Rick Ware Racing

Rick Ware Racing is a NASCAR Cup Series team based in Mooresville, North Carolina. The team is owned by former driver Rick Ware, and his son, Cody Ware, also races for the team. The team fields the No. 51 Ford Mustang, among others, in the Cup Series.

It is currently unclear who will drive the No. 51 Ford for Rick Ware Racing beyond Martinsville. The team has not made any official announcement regarding their plans for the car. With the suspension of Cody Ware, the team may be looking for a permanent replacement for the rest of the season.

What's Next?

With the uncertainty surrounding the No. 51 Ford Mustang, many fans are left wondering what the future holds for Rick Ware Racing. The team has been a fixture in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2012, but has yet to win a race at the highest level of stock car racing. However, with the right driver and equipment, anything is possible in NASCAR.

One potential option for Rick Ware Racing is to bring in a driver with more experience and success at the Cup Series level. There are several drivers who are currently without a ride in the Cup Series, and may be looking for an opportunity to showcase their talents with a new team. Alternatively, the team could look to promote a driver from within their organization, such as Xfinity or Truck Series driver, to fill the void left by Cody Ware.

Another possibility for the No. 51 team is to use the open seat as an opportunity to experiment with different driver and crew chief combinations. Rick Ware Racing has a reputation for giving young drivers a chance to showcase their talents at the Cup Series level, and this could be a chance to do just that. By pairing a young driver with a veteran crew chief, the team could potentially find a winning combination that could lead to success in the future.

Regardless of who ultimately ends up driving the No. 51 Ford Mustang, Rick Ware Racing is sure to continue to be a fixture in the NASCAR Cup Series for years to come. The team has proven to be resilient in the face of adversity, and has continued to compete at a high level despite facing numerous challenges over the years. As NASCAR continues to evolve and change, Rick Ware Racing will undoubtedly adapt and continue to be a force to be reckoned with on the track.

Source: Gxt Online Trends: Cody Ware Suspended: Who Will Drive the No. 51 Ford?