NASCAR Xfinity driver Carson Ware suspended after arrest in North Carolina

NASCAR’s Rick Ware Racing announced late Wednesday it has “indefinitely suspended” Xfinity driver Carson Ware.

Ware, 21, was arrested Wednesday in Rowan County and charged with assault on a female, simple assault and injury to personal property, according to Rowan County jail records. His bond was set at $1,000 and he has since been released, records indicate.

Rick Ware Racing, which is based north of Charlotte in Mooresville, posted a statement about the suspension on its Facebook page. The statement was attributed to team owner Rick Ware.

“This morning I was notified of a situation that involved Carson Ware. At this time, Carson has been indefinitely suspended by SS Green Light Racing and NASCAR,” Rick Ware wrote.

“While I am frustrated by the actions of Carson, I am even more disappointed for Bobby Dotter and his entire team. Bobby has been a great ally through the years, and I hate to see SS Green Light Racing under scrutiny due to actions that do not reflect the reputation and image that Bobby has worked hard to uphold over the years.”

The statement concluded with Rick Ware’s hope that “Carson will get the help that he needs during this difficult time.”

The arrest happened around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, after deputies were called to a Salisbury home about “a possible physical disturbance,” according to a press release.

Deputies arrived at the home to “hear a loud banging coming from inside,” officials said.

“After knocking on the door loudly several times, a person later identified as Carson Ware peeked out the window,” officials said.

“Deputies asked Ware to step outside, and he did wearing green underwear & black socks. Ware had blood on his face, along with a swollen lip. Deputies cuffed Ware and placed him in the backseat of a patrol car until further investigation could be completed.”

Investigators say the incident happened at the home of Kenneth Evans and his wife, Melissa Katsamperis. Evans is a co-worker of Carson Ware, officials said.

“Ware was staying with Evans & his wife while he recovered from some recent rehab,” officials said. “Evans & his wife explained that Carson Ware had come back to their residence earlier in the previous evening, and that when he came back he was very intoxicated and belligerent. Evans stated that he advised Ware to go to bed several times, but that Ware became violent.”

Ware is accused of pushing and striking Katsamperis, who locked herself in a bedroom with her husband and called 911, officials said.

“Deputies were able to enter the residence and did observe clothes and broken glass leading down the hallway to the bedroom. There were several broken paintings and wall art lying on the floor, and the bedroom door was shattered, along with the door frame being busted,” officials said.

Rick Ware Racing is a NASCAR Cup Series team fielding the No. 15, No. 51, No. 52 and No. 53 cars, according to its Facebook page.

SS Green Light Racing, also based in Mooresville, is a professional team in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Carson Ware lives in Greensboro, and has had six race starts in the Xfinity Series, as well as starts in Trucks and Arca, according to Rick Ware Racing.