Rick Ware Racing’s manufacturer switch from Ford to Chevrolet ahead of 2026 season has sparked speculation through the NASCAR garage, not just because of the move itself, but because of the unanswered questions surrounding its real purpose. RWR officially confirmed the move to Chevrolet as a part of multi-year deal, with a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing and ECR engines starting next season.The switch signaled a major shift for RWR to improve their performances after they finished last in points standings among chartered teams in 2025 and without even scoring a single top-10 finish. Now, as a single-car team with Cody Ware behind the wheel of the #51 Chevy, they will use all resources from the RCR technical alliance to be focused on one entry, maximizing their return on investment.T.J. Puchyr, who previously co-founded Spire Motorsports, is acquiring the RWR and this new ownership shifts may be a reason behind RWR’s move to new manufacturer because Puchyr has a history with Chevrolet. The move is more about Puchyr using his existing network and supplier relationships within the Chevrolet camp to rapidly restructure RWR into a three-car team, which is his stated goal for the organization.The hidden motive behind Rick Ware Racing’s switch to Chevrolet primarily centres on the deteriorating relationship with Ford. Ford is losing key teams, and RWR made the decision due to the need for improved support and performance resources. Haas Factory Team is another team switching from Ford to Chevrolet next season.Rick Ware Racing reflects on manufacturer switch for 2026 NASCAR seasonChevrolet is the winningest manufacturer in NASCAR Cup Series history. Chevy won 34 Driver championships, 44 manufacturer championships in the Cup Series, including the past five manufacturer titles, and recorded 881 all-time victories.On joining hands with Chevrolet, Rick Ware Racing’s owner stated that Chevrolet’s strong reputation, advanced technology, and deep commitment to racing make them an ideal partner for improving his team’s performance in 2026.In a statement, Rick Ware, the team owner of RWR, said:“Chevrolet has always set a high bar with its people, its performance and its passion for racing, and partnering with them gives us the resources and support to make real progress on the racetrack. Teaming up with RCR and ECR provides a foundation we can build on, not just for 2026, but for the future of our race team. We’re proud to be part of the Chevrolet family,”Cody Ware will make Rick Ware Racing’s Chevrolet debut when the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season officially kick off at Daytona International Speedway on February 15.