(cover photo credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
By Adam Carabine
In case you missed it, StatChat is counting down the days ‘til the 2023 Daytona 500. Every two days, we will have a new article featuring one of the 36 charters of 2022.
35th Place – Cody Ware – 304 pts
RICK WARE RACING – FORD
27.80 Average Finish in 2022, the best of his Cup Series career – This year saw his average finish improve over last year’s (nearly) full-time season by just under 3.5 positions. While an average finish of 27.80 is not going to earn anyone a championship anytime soon, it’s a step in the right direction both for Cody and his team.
1 Lap Led in 2022 – At the Goodyear 400 at Darlington in early May, Cody Ware led one lap, and it would be his only one of the season. It was under the caution that was thrown between Stage 1 and 2, but it still counts. Of note, Ware finished on the lead lap, and it was the only time in his Cup career that he didn’t DNF at Darlington.
1 Missed Race – After an ankle injury from a gnarly crash at Texas Motor Speedway, Cody Ware opted to let JJ Yeley fill in for him at the Charlotte Roval. It was the only race of 2022 that Ware didn’t compete in. Yeley wound up finishing 32nd.
54 Quality passes in 2022 – A quality pass is specifically a green-flag pass made while driving in the Top 15. For a car that spends most of its time running in the rear half of the field, this number certainly isn’t anything to scoff at! However, to compare to some of the favourites, Chase Elliott at the fall Talladega race had 352 quality passes all race!
8,569 Laps Complete in 2022 – Despite missing a race, Cody Ware still managed to complete many laps, putting him 22nd best on the season. Ware bested 2-time champion Kyle Busch (8,479) and 3-time winner in 2022, Tyler Reddick (8,411). Keeping the car clean is a big part of what can earn you consistency and success, and Cody Ware managed that very well in 2022.
With Rick Ware Racing being the family business, Cody Ware is not likely going anywhere anytime soon. However, no official driver announcement has been made ahead of next year. Rick Ware Racing did announce they were forming a technical partnership with RFK Racing, which could give them some extra speed on the track.
Coming up next in the Countdown to Daytona series – The #15 Car!
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