Rick Ware, a racing team owner from Los Angeles, has been named to the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2025. His diverse motorsports career, spanning more than 40 years, has earned him this prestigious recognition.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for March 13 in Las Vegas in conjunction with the NASCAR race weekend from March 14-16 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Joining Ware in the Class of 2025 are notable figures including AJ Allmendinger, Chuck Gurney, Davey Hamilton, Jeff Jefferson, Justin Marks, and Boris Said.
“It’s truly an honor to be a part of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2025,” Ware said. “I’m a proud Californian and growing up on the West Coast put me right in the heart of racing and hot-rod culture.”
Ware reflected on his unique journey through motorsports. “I’ve been to some of the most iconic venues in North American motorsports, first as a fan with my dad, then as a driver, and then as a team owner,” he said.
A third-generation racer, Ware began his driving career at age six. Competing in the SCCA Trans Am Series and road racing led him to NASCAR in the early 1980s, where he debuted at Riverside International Raceway.
After suffering injuries that ended his driving career, Ware transitioned to full-time team ownership in 1995. He founded Rick Ware Racing, which fields entries in the NASCAR Cup Series and competes in various other racing series.
In 2024, RWR had a successful season, highlighted by Clay Millican’s win at the U.S. Nationals and Kody Klopp’s championship in the AMA American Flat Track 450cc class. These victories marked RWR’s fourth NHRA Top Fuel win and third total championship.
“We do this because we love it,” Ware stated. “The hard times make you appreciate success so much more, and our success comes from our people.”
The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame was established in 2001 to honor significant contributors to motorsports. It aims to preserve the rich history and heritage of the West Coast’s impact on professional racing.
