Rick Ware Deems NASCAR’s Bowman Gray Return as “Get Out of Jail Free Card” After Going an Extra Mile

The people of North Carolina are aware of the historic comeback of NASCAR at the Bowman Gray Stadium. They’ve reciprocated the sentiment by scalping all the designated 17,000 tickets set for the “Cook Out” Clash, as confirmed by NASCAR to be sold out. With the immense hype surrounding the event, Rick Ware has expressed his team’s efforts to be the first to grab the win on its historic return.

Earlier, the venue had come under the scanner when fans expressed their displeasure with the variable safety measures in place for professional and regional-level races. These changes were made between 2020 and 2022, and in 2024 NASCAR acquired a lease to the track to manage the facility until 2050. While NASCAR has not hosted races at the track since 1971, modified races continued and one name stands out. Rick Ware Racing’s Tim Brown, who will be making his NASCAR debut at the Bowman Gray, has a lot of experience at the modified level.

Rick Ware expects rough racing

Being a former racer himself, Rick Ware knows the importance of having extra preparedness so that come race day. When asked why some teams, like Rick Ware Racing, are going the extra mile for this historic return, Rick Ware said, “So I guess I think a lot of people are putting in effort because, first off, they’re racers, they want to win… I don’t know what it pays to win, but it’s decent, and it’s a cool trophy… It’s the Clash… It’s the first race of the year. It’s the inaugural event, and we’re looking for people likely to put those on their trophy case, and it’s really cool.” 

The iconic track is just a quarter of a mile in length and not too wide, making for narrow passing lanes and lots of bumping. “There’s a lot of roughing up because you don’t have any choice. You have to move pretty quickly to get by, and that’s the way it is at Bowman Gray on a regular basis.” Rick Ware is aware of how brutal and unpredictable the proceedings can become at ‘The Madhouse’.

Along the same lines, he further elaborated as to why teams go all out for the Clash. He said to Claire B. Lang, “I think it’s because it’s the first race of the year, and there’s a fair amount of time, and it’s almost a little bit… the race is kind of a get-out-of-jail-free card in that, if you p-ss people off in points races somebody may be putting you on a list.”.

And @RickWareRacing owner Rick Ware – defines Tim Brown who will race for them in the upcoming Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Watch this – it will get you fired up! Rick is a true down to earth #racer – Thanks for the time yesterday Rick! Ohh the Clash at BG is gonna be intense! pic.twitter.com/Psn043AKTg

— Claire B Lang (@ClaireBLang) January 9, 2025

Fans will understand why he initiated the strategic signing of the racetrack’s veteran, Tim Brown. He is banking on the skills of Brown to squeeze off the opportunity on the track. Brown knows like the back of his hand, amassing 12 of his 101 modified race wins at Bowman Gray, making him the winningest driver on that track. Tim Brown’s work ethic has also impressed RWR. Ware replied wryly, “Personally, he’s the kind of guy that will triple-check something just because of his OCD and wanting it to be perfect, and he’s going to prepare like it’s a million dollars to win a modified race that if he doesn’t win, he’s expected to win at the very same venue.”

Tim Brown and RWR are going all in for the win and Brown does not wish to share any tricks of the trade.

Tim Brown talks about ‘The Madhouse’

In an interview with Speedway Media, Tim Brown was candid about keeping his tactics to himself. The winningest driver on the track looks to extend his record on his NASCAR debut. “I don’t even talk with those guys because we want to go run as good as we can and not help those guys out at all,” said Brown when asked if NASCAR drivers are reaching out to him for advice on the track. Brown continued, “A lot of the Cup drivers that I’m buddies with like, ‘Man, I was gonna get you to be my driver coach or something’.”

Brown is well respected and revered in the NASCAR community and there’s no doubt why. Having 12 wins at ‘The Madhouse’ is no small feat. The veteran emphasized how unique the track is and how that would dictate his racing style. “The place is just unique. It’s completely flat. There’s no banking at all and that’s a unique place all on its own… you’ll have to go into each circumstance and do what you have to do… If that means putting the bumper to somebody and moving them to get by, that’s what we’ll have to do.” The 53-year-old is taking no prisoners and is going to make the most of his NASCAR debut.

RWR, like its latest signing, is leaving no stone unturned in its preparations by trying to cover all the bases for a consistent 2025 NASCAR season. Rick Ware tried to downplay his team’s strategy. “Are we putting more than normal? I wouldn’t say we are… but we are trying to go to every track right now as prepared as we can… But you know it’s one of those races where a lot of different people can win, so we are preparing from that standpoint.”

Do you think Tim Brown and RWR can pull off a win on the night of Bowman Gray’s historic return?

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