Cody Ware to miss Roval, still recovering from ankle injury

Ware, 26, suffered an ankle injury after crashing heavily at Texas Motor Speedway on September 25. 

Despite suffering an impact fracture and torn ligaments, he still raced the following weekend at Talladega Superspeedway with a boot on his right foot, finishing 32nd. 

However, due to the added footwork needed at road courses, he has decided to skip the Cup race at the Charlotte Roval. He will be replaced with J.J. Yeley in the No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford Mustang.

Yeley normally pilots the No. 15 RWR Ford, starting 15 of the first 32 races this year. Joey Hand will be in the No. 15 car this weekend.

“This weekend I am making the tough decision to step aside and support my team from outside the car,” said Ware in a statement published on social media. “Given the extensive footwork required for a road course event, I don’t feel I’ll be able to give 100% effort to my team, my sponsors or Ford. I appreciate everyone’s continued support and well wishes & I can’t wait to be back in action in Vegas. My recovery process is going great & I’m feeling stronger each day. Big thanks to J.J. Yeley for filling in for me for this event. I’ll be pulling for you.”