By Sarah Handy, Staff Writer
As the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series gets prepared for the start of another year, Rick Ware Racing will look to improve upon their 2019 ventures.
Kickin’ the Tires takes a look ahead at Rick Ware Racing’s 2020 Cup Series driver lineup for the upcoming season.
Heading into the 2019 season finale from South Florida’s Homestead Miami Speedway, Rick Ware Racing had announced they would field three full-time cars for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Their first driver announcement was announced in that same team press release. Veteran driver JJ Yeley will pilot one of the teams full-time entries this season.
“I can’t thank Rick and Lisa Ware enough for the opportunity to be back behind the wheel of a NASCAR Cup Series car full-time next year.”, said Yeley in a team press release. “They are a family owned team, who continues to grow and build new relationships with sponsors and expand their efforts in NASCAR. Over the past couple weeks, we’ve accumulated some pretty solid finishes and can’t wait to see what we can accomplish in 2020.”
Yeley made 14 starts in 2019 for Rick Ware Racing and went on to finish every event except Sonoma where a fuel pump issue relegated the Arizona native to a disappointing 38th place finish.
However, Yeley finished last season with eight Top-30 finishes including four in the last four races leading up to Homestead. Yeley’s best finish of the season was a 12th place result in July’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
“I am excited to have JJ Yeley on board with the Rick Ware Racing organization for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season”, said team owner Rick Ware in a press release. “JJ is a great asset to any team and has a proven track record for bringing home solid finishes for RWR. I look forward to having him on board, as we continue to grow this team.”
Overall, in 14 Cup starts at the 2.5-mile Superspeedway, Yeley has one top-10, a 10th place finish in the 2013 Daytona 500.
In addition, Yeley has four top-15 and seven top-20 finishes at the famed Superspeedway.
In addition to Yeley joining the Thomasville, North Carolina based organization in 2020, it was announced at the end of December that Joey Gase would join the team full-time as well.
“I am excited to have Joey Gase join the Rick Ware Racing family in 2020. Joey and his family are great people, whose values align perfectly with RWR. I am looking forward to growing our team and having a great season next year,” said team owner, Rick Ware in a team press release.
Gase has spent time in all of NASCAR’s top-three series with a majority of his career being spent in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
The Cedar Rapids, Iowa native competed in 32 of the 33 events on the NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule where he earned six top-20 finishes. His best finish was a 16th place result in the season opener at Daytona.
In NASCAR Cup Series competition, Gase made 11 starts in 2019 with a best finish of 27th at the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway in July.
“I am very excited to be able to call Rick Ware Racing my home for 2020. It’s a dream come true to be able to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series full-time. It has been a dream of not only mine, but my whole family ever since I can remember, and it’s taken a lot of hard work and sacrifices to get me here.” said Gase.
Overall, in three Cup Series starts at Daytona, Gase has a best finish of 23rd coming in the 2017 season-opener.
It was announced on January 10 that veteran NASCAR driver David Ragan who retired from full-time competition following the 2019 season will return at least for the Daytona 500.
Ragan will pilot the No. 36 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing with sponsorship from Select Blinds and Speedy Cash.
The No. 36 was previously an entry fielded by Front Row Motorsports; the same team Ragan has raced for on a couple different occasions in his career.
However, Front Row Motorsports has scaled back to two full-time Cup teams for the 2020 season.
Most recently, Ragan raced for the Bob Jenkins owned team from 2017 through 2019.
“Really excited for the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the No. 36 Select Blinds Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing at Daytona International Speedway,” said Ragan in a tweet posted to his account. “Thank you to both Select Blinds and Speedy Cash for coming on board for the 62nd running of The Great American Race.”
Throughout his Cup career at Daytona, Ragan has seen success and is known as one of the best Superspeedway drivers.
In 26 Cup Series starts at the track, Ragan has one win, three top-five and five top-10 finishes.
Additional Cup Series drivers for the third Rick Ware Racing entry (With Ragan only running part-time), as well and any new additional sponsors will be announced at a later date.