Part-time Cup driver says he had to park car last two races because of back issues
Cody Ware has parked his No. 51 car early in the last two Cup Series races. He said he did that because of back issues.
Ware posted about the back problems to his Facebook page because “leaks” were happening he said he decided to say something. He finished 35th at Dover and completed 283 laps and parked his car after 35 laps at Pocono because of what the NASCAR box score lists as a “vibration.”
After he got out of the car at Pocono he went to the infield care center. And he said on Facebook that he’s going to be out of the No. 51 car for some time.
“This wasn’t supposed to be public knowledge … but due to the leaks I’ll shed some light to my friends here. At Dover two weeks ago I left the race early due to serious back issues. It wasn’t typical pain and I was concerned with how it was affecting my driving. We decided to try to fix my seat at Pocono and continue on.
“Unfortunately problems persisted… This morning I got an MRI done and the results show that I have some compression and discs issues in my lower back. I have been in contact with both the neurosurgeons and NASCAR and we have come to the decision to sit out until I can heal.”
Ware, 21, has been driving for his father, Rick Ware, a longtime owner in NASCAR’s lower series. Rick Ware moved his team up to Cup in 2017 because of a lack of full-time entries at NASCAR’s top level and the team has run in 12 races so far in 2017.
Timmy Hill has been the team’s primary driver. He’s competed in nine races for the team and has been running at the finish in six of them with a best finish of 28th.
Cody Ware’s first start came at Atlanta where the car only completed 74 laps because of what the NASCAR box score says was a steering issue. The official reason for his Dover DNF is listed as “handling” — not any physical issues.
Ware has made 12 Xfinity Series starts — all for his father — and seven truck starts since 2014. His best NASCAR finish came in his Xfinity Series debut when he finished 15th at Mid-Ohio in 2014.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of Dr. Saturday and From the Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
