NASCAR star Cody Ware arrested on felony assault charge after allegedly strangling woman
IREDELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA: NASCAR driver Cody Ware was arrested for allegedly strangling a woman and is being held on suspicion of domestic violence. The incident reportedly occurred in Iredell County, North Carolina, about 48 miles north of Charlotte.
Ware, 27, was taken into custody Monday, April 10, following the incident, although specific details about the incident have not yet been released. The NASCAR driver is the son of team owner Rick Ware, who races in the Cup, Xfinity and Truck series.
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NASCAR suspends Cody Ware indefinitely
The NASCAR community reacted quickly to the news of Ware's arrest, issuing a statement saying it was taking the matter seriously and gathering information. The statement also noted that Ware has been suspended indefinitely pending further investigation, reports The Sun.
NASCAR has had policies in place since 2018 to deal with domestic violence and other forms of abuse. The organization now requires all drivers to complete an annual sexual harassment and domestic violence prevention training program.
The most recent NASCAR Cup race was held at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday night, April 9. Ware did not participate in it. On Saturday, April 8, his father Rick announced that the 27-year-old would miss the race because he was "focusing on a personal matter."
Cody Ware's racing career
Ware began his professional racing career in 2014 and has competed in several NASCAR series, including the Cup, Xfinity and Truck series. He has also raced in the Asian Le Mans Series and the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup. His team, 'Rick Ware Racing,' has been a part of NASCAR since 2008 and currently competes in the Cup and Xfinity Series. The team has been criticized in the past for using underfunded cars and drivers with little experience. It is unclear how the recent arrest and suspension will affect Ware's future in automotive racing.
Ware drives the No 51 Ford Mustang, which will be driven by Matt Crafton in the upcoming Bristol race due to Ware suspension. Ware has been competing in NASCAR's premier series since 2017 and has 97 Cup starts under his belt. His best finish came in sixth place at the Daytona International Speedway race in August 2022.