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Rick Ware isn’t just bringing a new team to NHRA Drag Racing — he’s bringing a lifetime of passion, a track record in motorsports, and a belief that drag racing’s future can shine as bright as any other racing series in the world.

As the owner of Rick Ware Racing (RWR), his logo has been seen on everything from NASCAR stock cars to IMSA endurance machines to IndyCars and Supercross bikes. But now, with a full-season commitment to NHRA Top Fuel racing, Ware is shifting his attention to one of the most explosive and emotional categories in all of motorsports — and he’s not looking back.

“I’ve been around this sport since I was a kid,” Ware said, reflecting on his upbringing in Southern California, where nitro was part of the air. “Drag racing is just one of those things that gets in your blood. I’ve always had respect for the people in it — and now I get to be a part of it in a real way.”

Ware’s NHRA venture isn’t just about expanding his portfolio — it’s about building something meaningful with drivers who match his passion and intensity. He has teamed up with two of the most respected names in Top Fuel: Clay Millican and Tony Schumacher.

“Clay and Tony — these guys are legends. But more than that, they’re the kind of racers who understand what it means to fight for something,” said Ware. “This isn’t about showing up with the biggest hauler or the flashiest trailer. This is about showing up with a team that believes they can win — and building a program that proves it.”

That belief comes with intention. Ware doesn’t just put his name on a car, he builds organizations, connects talent, and aligns resources in a way that gives his programs staying power — no matter the discipline.

Ware is also thinking big about business. NHRA Drag Racing’s fast-paced format, intensely loyal fan base, and sensory overload of a live event offer something unique to sponsors — and Ware is here to help them realize it.

“I see NHRA as the highest-performing addition to our organization’s future,” he said. “There’s real value in what this sport brings. The fans are passionate. The product is raw and unforgettable. When a sponsor is on the side of a Top Fuel dragster, they’re part of something visceral — something that moves people.”

And for sponsors who are used to the pacing and engagement levels of NASCAR or other racing series, the NHRA format is a refreshing shockwave of attention.

“It’s a different kind of exposure,” Ware added. “It’s face-to-face, trackside, up close, and personal. That’s powerful. That’s sticky. And it’s something we’re just scratching the surface of in terms of marketing potential.”

Ware doesn’t do anything halfway. His racing operations have spanned the globe and brought underdog teams into the spotlight through grit, strategy, and smart promotion. With NHRA, he sees another area where his experience in event execution, sponsor relationships, and team development can elevate the entire paddock.

“What I love most about racing is the challenge,” Ware said. “Doesn’t matter if it’s a superspeedway or a dragstrip. You’ve got to prepare, adapt, and execute. And with NHRA, it’s all of that — compressed into four seconds.”

He also recognizes the intense commitment that drag racers bring to the line every single weekend.

“There’s something deeply personal about this sport,” he said. “It’s not just machine versus machine. It’s families, communities, generations. These racers live this life, and when you step into this world, you feel that.”

For Ware, the NHRA is more than a guest appearance on his motorsports résumé — it’s a long-term investment.

“I’m not here to dabble,” he said. “We want to build something sustainable, something competitive, and something exciting for the fans. I see what this sport can be. And I want to be a part of helping it get there.”

He’s also quick to note that, like every form of motorsport, success in NHRA takes more than money and horsepower — it takes people.

“I’ve been lucky to surround myself with talented, committed folks across all our teams,” Ware said. “And what I’m already seeing in NHRA is a family of people who care about doing things the right way. That’s something I want to be part of.”

There’s something poetic about Ware’s path leading him to NHRA. What started as childhood fascination in the pits of Southern California dragstrips has turned into a full-on commitment to one of the most demanding arenas in all of motorsports.

And for a man who has built a career by taking bold swings — often in places others wouldn’t dare — this feels right at home.

“I’ve always been drawn to the sound, the speed, the edge of it all,” he said. “And now, to be part of it in a way that I can grow and help contribute — man, that’s the dream.”
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