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NASCAR Driver Cody Ware Suspended Indefinitely Following Assault Arrest
NASCAR driver Cody Ware sat out at Bristol over the weekend, but is looking at a lengthy absence after he was charged with assault for an alleged incident that occurred April 3.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Cody Ware was indefinitely suspended by the league Monday following his arrest on assault charges.
Ware, 27, was booked into the Iredell Detention Facility and faces a felony charge of “assault by strangulation – inflict serious injury” and a misdemeanor charge of “assault on a female,” as specified in a press released from NASCAR.
An incident report from the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office noted that Ware’s arrest occurred one week after the alleged domestic violence incident, which took place at a Mooresville, North Carolina residence on April 3, according to the Associated Press.
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Ware opted out of participating in events with the Rick Ware Racing motorsports team, owned by his father, at Bristol Motor Speedway this past weekend.
Ware was replaced by Matt Crafton, who did not complete the race due to engine failure, in the No. 51 Ford after the team released a statement clarifying that Ware was focusing on personal matters. The tweet posted by Rick Ware Racing also requested that the family’s privacy be respected.
Following the decision to suspend Ware from NASCAR competition, the racing house issued an additional statement.
“We are aware of the incident regarding Cody Ware and his indefinite suspension from NASCAR competition,” Rick Ware Racing explained in a tweet on Monday. “We understand NASCAR’s position on this matter and accept their decision.”
The tweet also specified that Ware is prepared to fully comply with investigators while the rest of the racing team continues their multi-car efforts in the NASCAR Cup Series.
“The matter is still under investigation and Cody is fully cooperating with the authorities, as due process takes its course,” the statement noted.
Ware’s NASCAR career began in 2017 and he was ranked 31st in the Cup Series standings prior to the incident. Though he has never won a NASCAR race, the Greensboro, North Carolina local finished sixth at Daytona International Speedway last August, according to People.com.
Ware made his first court appearance on Monday morning and was released on Monday afternoon on a $3,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for May 1, according to CNN.
