Changes appear to be coming at Rick Ware Racing, and the movement could involve the crew chief position on one of its NHRA Top Fuel operations.
CompetitionPlus.com has learned the team could announce at least one crew chief departure, with another tuner potentially coming aboard. An announcement could come as early as midweek.
The potential shakeup follows a rough weekend for the two-car Ware operation. Tony Schumacher failed to qualify, while Clay Millican barely made the field in the No. 16 position at the NHRA U.S. Nationals.
Millican’s race day didn’t last long. He smoked the tires in the opening round and was eliminated.
The timing of the expected changes also comes with an accomplished crew chief suddenly available.
Rob Wendland became a free agent earlier in the week after he and Shawn Reed Racing parted ways. Wendland helped build Reed’s Top Fuel program and was the crew chief when the team scored its first NHRA national event victory at Reading in 2025.
Whether Wendland figures into the Rick Ware Racing equation remains to be seen. CompetitionPlus.com has not confirmed that connection, only that changes within the Ware organization are expected and Wendland is now among the available crew chiefs in the Top Fuel market.
Sources indicate the picture could become clearer by the middle of the week.
CompetitionPlus.com will continue to follow the situation as it develops.
