Rick Ware Racing (RWR) is returning to the NASCAR Canada Series in 2027.
The NASCAR Cup Series team announced on Thursday that it would field a two-car effort in the Canadian-based division, beginning next year, with the No. 51 Chevrolet being driven by series veteran DJ Kennington.
“I’ve been fortunate to have a long career in the NASCAR Canada Series, but I’ve always been more interested in what’s next, and this opportunity with Rick Ware Racing is something I’m really looking forward to,” Kennington said. “Rick has built a race team that competes in a lot of different forms of motorsports, and to be a part of his overall program means a lot to me. To do it with Castrol and Wakefield Canada makes it even more special. They’ve been with me since I was 16 years old. They’re family, and now we get to start another chapter together at RWR.”
Wakefield Canada, the manufacturer and distributor of Castrol-branded lubricants in Canada, has been with Kennington for every single one of his NASCAR Canada Series milestones. It’s a partnership that began with a 16-year-old Kennington at the outset of his racing career, and it will continue through 2029 at his new Rick Ware Racing home.
“D.J. has been a fantastic ambassador for Castrol and Wakefield Canada for more than three decades. Extending our relationship through 2029 reflects the trust and success we’ve built together, while the addition of Rick Ware Racing creates new opportunities to elevate all three organizations,” said Rob Fifield, marketing director – automotive, Wakefield Canada. “By combining D.J.’s connection with fans, Rick Ware Racing’s competitive platform and Castrol’s heritage in motorsports, everyone wins.”
Rick Ware Racing will also field a second entry in the NASCAR Canada Series, the No. 15 Chevrolet, with details on the driver of the entry to be announced later.
The 2027 campaign marks the 20th anniversary of the NASCAR Canada Series and will also serve as a return to the series for Rick Ware Racing. In 2021, RWR fielded a two-car effort for Andrew Ranger and Alex Guenette, in which the team scored a pair of oval victories at Flamboro and Delaware, on his way to a second-place finish in series points.
“We’ve wanted to get back to the NASCAR Canada Series, but it needed to be the right opportunity, and we feel like we have that with the two-car program we’re putting together for 2027,” said team owner Rick Ware. “D.J. gives us a proven winner who knows this series inside and out, and we’re proud to represent Castrol and become part of the relationship they’ve built with D.J. over the past three decades. We’re equally pleased with what we’re putting together for our second car, and we look forward to sharing more about that program when the time is right.”
Further announcements about the team’s NASCAR Canada Series program will come at a later date.
