Rick Ware Racing
Rick Ware Racing’s NHRA Program All Under One ‘Canopy’
Two Top Fuel Dragsters, One Team Going Into Season-Opening Gatornationals
MOORESVILLE, NC – In a sport decided in split seconds, where winning can be measured in a thousandth of an inch, consistency is key. In 
the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, that consistency goes beyond what a driver does before rocketing down a 1,000-foot long straight in less than four seconds at 340 mph.
At Rick Ware Racing (RWR), consistency extends to the pair of Top Fuel dragsters driven by Clay Millican and Tony Schumacher, where each chassis is the same. There are no nuances between Millican’s No. 51 Parts Plus dragster and Schumacher’s No. 15 American Communications Construction dragster.
Getting to this point ahead of the season-opening Gatornationals this weekend at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway meant each driver had to try something new. For Schumacher, it meant getting accustomed to the kind of chassis Millican uses, and for Millican, it meant jettisoning an open cockpit for a closed-top canopy – a design pioneered by Schumacher and debuted by him in 2012. Continue reading
Oberhofer Brothers Together Again at Rick Ware Racing
Jim and Jon Oberhofer To Serve as Crew Chiefs for Top Fuel Drivers Tony Schumacher and Clay Millican in 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Nicky Boninfante Named Co-Crew Chief of Both Top Fuel Dragsters
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 17, 2026) – For as long as they have been brothers, Jim and Jon Oberhofer have been involved in drag racing. 
Since attending races with their father, Dave, the Oberhofer Brothers have been nearly inseparable, working with their dad on the Top Fuel dragsters he was a part of and eventually carving their own drag racing paths, most prominently with Kalitta Motorsports.
In 2026, Jim and Jon Oberhofer are together again, this time at Rick Ware Racing (RWR) where the duo will serve as the crew chiefs for Top Fuel drivers Tony Schumacher and Clay Millican, respectively, in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Joining them as co-crew chief for both entries will be another NHRA veteran, Nicky Boninfante.
“When you look at what Jim and Jon have accomplished in this sport, it’s remarkable. Championships, U.S. Nationals wins, decades of experience at the highest level, but what really stands out to me is that they’ve grown up in this business together. There’s built-in trust and understanding that isn’t manufactured. Pair that with Nicky’s experience and success, and you’ve got three guys who have seen every scenario drag racing can throw at you,” said team owner Rick Ware. Continue reading
American Communications Construction and Aloha Beauty Lounge Extend Primary Sponsorship With NHRA Top Fuel Driver Tony Schumacher Through 2032
TOMBALL, TX – Texas-based American Communications Construction (ACC) and Aloha Beauty Lounge have each extended its primary 
sponsorship of NHRA Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher and the No. 15 Top Fuel dragster he pilots for Rick Ware Racing (RWR) through the 2032 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.
This long-term agreement will have the winningest Top Fuel driver in NHRA history in a 12,000-horsepower dragster for a fourth decade, allowing Schumacher to add to his 88 event wins and series-best eight championships.
“This commitment allows us to be strategic and make the necessary investments in procuring the best and brightest crew, team leadership and equipment that will allow us to compete for championships beginning in 2026,” said Schumacher, a 2025 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inductee. Continue reading
It’s Go Time for Tony Schumacher at RWR
10-Time U.S. Nationals Winner To Make NHRA Top Fuel Return at ‘Big Go’ in Indianapolis
MOORESVILLE, NC – Tony Schumacher, the winningest Top Fuel driver in the history of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, will 
make his return to the driver’s seat when he debuts the No. 15 American Communications Construction Top Fuel dragster for Rick Ware Racing (RWR) in the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals Aug. 29-Sept. 1 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Schumacher, a 10-time winner of the U.S. Nationals, holds the class record for victories in the “Big Go.” An 11th win would tie the all-time event mark held by Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Frank Manzo.
“The U.S. Nationals has always been special to me, and I’m grateful for the chance to return to Indy with Rick Ware Racing and American Communications Construction,” Schumacher said. “I’ve been fortunate to experience some incredible moments at this event over the years, and getting back behind the wheel of a Top Fuel dragster at the ‘Big Go’ in front of the most passionate fans in all of motorsports means a lot. It’s the biggest race of the season, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.” Continue reading
NHRA Top Fuel Driver Clay Millican Delivers Victory for RWR in the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals
POMONA, CA – Rick Ware Racing (RWR) earned its third victory in less than 24 hours when NHRA Top Fuel driver Clay Millican drove the 
RWR-prepared Mighty Fire Breaker/Parts Plus dragster to a final round victory in the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals Sunday at In-N-Out Pomona Dragstrip.
Millican defeated Tony Stewart with an impressive .038 of-a-second reaction time to take his eighth career Top Fuel win in the NHRA Mission Food Drag Racing Series. Five of those victories have come since joining RWR in late 2022, with Millican’s prior win earned in the sport’s biggest event, last year’s Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals over Labor Day weekend at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
“My crew chief (Jim Oberhofer) told me he had it loaded up and a couple things were going to happen. He said we’re going to win, we’re going to blow up and if we lose, we’re going to be a footnote in history,” said Millican, who went 4.273 seconds at 189.71 mph against Stewart before enduring a wild engine explosion at the finish line. “Thank goodness we’re not a footnote in history. Tony Stewart is going to win one of these soon, but all I know is we won the Winternationals. Continue reading
Keen’s Buildings Joins Rick Ware Racing at Gainesville
Leading Prefab Building Manufacturer To Serve as an Associate Partner of Clay Millican’s Top Fuel Dragster in Season-Opening NHRA Gatornationals
GAINESVILLE, FL – Keen’s Buildings, a leading garage and prefab building manufacturer serving the southeastern United States, has joined 
Rick Ware Racing (RWR) as an associate partner of the Top Fuel dragster Clay Millican will drive in the season-opening NHRA Mission Food Drag Racing Series event this weekend at Gainesville Raceway.
Millican enters the 56th annual AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals as a seven-time NHRA Top Fuel event winner. Four of those victories have come since joining RWR in late 2022, with Millican’s most recent triumph coming last September in the sport’s biggest race, the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Rick Ware Racing and Clay Millican for this year’s Gatornationals. As a Florida-based company, it’s great to see Keen’s Buildings represented in such a powerful way, right in our home state,” said Kevin Keen, owner, Keen’s Buildings. “This partnership is an excellent way for us to connect with fans who share our passion for quality, durability and performance – values that drive everything we do at Keen’s Buildings.” Continue reading
‘The Sarge’ is Back!
Tony Schumacher, the Winningest Top Fuel Driver in NHRA History, Joins Rick Ware Racing for Limited Top Fuel Campaign in 2025 in Preparation for Fulltime Season in 2026
MOORESVILLE, NC – Tony Schumacher will be back competing in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series in 2025, and he will do it 
with Rick Ware Racing (RWR) as a teammate to fulltime Top Fuel driver Clay Millican.
Schumacher, the winningest Top Fuel driver in NHRA history, will run a limited Top Fuel campaign in 2025 in preparation for a fulltime season in 2026. His schedule will be announced at a later date.
“This opportunity with Rick Ware Racing gets me back in a Top Fuel car where I can compete at a high level immediately,” Schumacher said. “The passion and commitment Rick and his group have for racing is incredible, and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel. A limited schedule this year allows us to prepare for 2026 and show people what we’re capable of.
“I’m really looking forward to teaming up with Clay. He’s an incredibly talented racer with a ton of experience, and having both of us under one roof is only going to make us stronger. We’ll be able to push each other, share data, and work together to make RWR better.” Continue reading
The Sun Never Sets at Rick Ware Racing
Scope of RWR’s Racing Endeavors on Display This Weekend With Simultaneous Season Openers for NHRA and American Flat Track in Florida, While NASCAR Races in Phoenix
MOORESVILLE, NC – The calendar notifications on Rick Ware’s mobile phone are incessant. The frequent buzzes and constant dings are 
ever-present reminders that the sun never sets at Rick Ware Racing (RWR).
This weekend highlights the scope of RWR’s motorsports footprint. The No. 51 Mighty Fire Breaker Ford Mustang Dark Horse RWR fields for Cody Ware in the NASCAR Cup Series is at Phoenix Raceway for Sunday’s Shriners Children’s 500. Two thousand miles and two time zones east in Gainesville, Florida, the 12,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster that Clay Millican pilots for RWR in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series kicks off its season with the 56th annual Gatornationals. One hundred miles southeast of Gainesville at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) begins its 2025 campaign with rider Chase Saathoff representing RWR in the 450 Singles class and RWR rider Briar Bauman in the SuperTwins division.
Sure, Ware is not the only team owner to field entries in multiple series. Penske, Trackhouse and McLaren immediately come to mind. But RWR is the most diverse. NASCAR tracks. NHRA dragstrips. Dirt ovals lined with hay bales. Four wheels. Two wheels. RWR is there, domestically and internationally, as its FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) team doesn’t begin its season until October at iconic London Stadium, home of West Ham United Football Club. Continue reading
Arby’s Joins Rick Ware Racing as a Primary Partner Across its NASCAR and NHRA Teams
MOORESVILLE, NC – Arby’s, the largest sandwich drive-thru restaurant brand in the world, has partnered with Rick Ware Racing (RWR) 
and will be featured across its teams in the NASCAR Cup Series and NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
The bulk of the partnership will be in the NASCAR Cup Series where Arby’s will serve as an anchor sponsor of RWR’s No. 51 Ford Mustang Dark Horse driven by Cody Ware. The first of Arby’s 12 races on the No. 51 machine comes this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
“We’re extremely proud to expand our partnership with Arby’s for 2025 and beyond,” said Rick Ware, team owner. “This renewed commitment is a testament to the hard work, dedication and progress we’ve made as an organization. From the shop to the track, every member of this team has been focused on improving our performance, strengthening our brand and delivering value to our partners. To have Arby’s recognize that effort and invest in an even bigger way speaks volumes to the commitment we’ve made to motorsports and the partners who support us. We’re ready to build on this momentum and achieve even greater success.” Continue reading
Arrowhead Brass Partners With RWR in NHRA
Top Plumbing, Irrigation Products Brand Makes Drag Racing Debut in 2024
MOORESVILLE, NC – Arrowhead Brass, a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of plumbing valves and irrigation products, enters a new racing 
arena in partnership with Rick Ware Racing for the 21-event Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series season for 2024, which opens with the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Thursday through Sunday at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway.
The rich history of Arrowhead Brass dates back to 1936 and, in the 88 years since, the company has created long-lasting plumbing and irrigation valves that have been a staple in homes for generations. The company’s mission is to be the North American premier provider of plumbing and irrigation products and stay true to its seven core values: customer commitment, quality, integrity, teamwork, respect, personal accountability and good citizenship. Arrowhead Brass now has more than 1,000 lead-free products in an effort to keep households and their families safe and healthy. The company’s quality products can be found in national retail stores and plumbing supply wholesalers throughout the country. For more information, visit www.arrowheadbrass.com
