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A long-standing legal dispute between Rick Ware Racing (RWR) and Legacy Motor Club (LMC) concerning a NASCAR Cup Series ownership charter has finally been resolved through a confidential settlement. This agreement brings an end to a year-long legal battle that revolved around the intricacies of a charter transfer, the terms of which were previously unfulfilled.

The core of the dispute stemmed from an agreement for Rick Ware Racing to sell and transfer a NASCAR Cup Series charter to Legacy Motor Club. However, the exact details of this transaction, and its timing, became a point of contention, leading to a prolonged lawsuit between the two racing organizations.

Jimmie Johnson, a principal owner of Legacy Motor Club, expressed his satisfaction with the resolution, emphasizing the importance of a positive outcome for all parties involved. He lauded the efforts of Robby Benton and Rick Ware in reaching this settlement, which allows the teams to redirect their focus towards their business operations and future objectives.

One significant aspect that remains unclear following the settlement is its impact on RFK Racing. Currently, the No. 60 car, driven by Ryan Preece, operates under a charter leased from Rick Ware Racing. This lease arrangement was set to continue for the upcoming season, utilizing another charter on loan from RWR.

Rick Ware Racing has confirmed that its No. 51 car will continue to compete as a chartered entry in the 2026 season. According to NASCAR regulations, a charter can be leased only once for a single year within a given charter period, which currently extends from 2025 to 2031.

The lawsuit primarily centered on which specific charter Ware had agreed to sell to Legacy and how this sale would reconcile with the existing multi-year leasing agreement with RFK Racing. As of now, RFK Racing has not publicly commented on the settlement or its potential ramifications.

This resolution marks a crucial step forward for both Rick Ware Racing and Legacy Motor Club, allowing them to move past the legal entanglement and concentrate on their competitive endeavors within the NASCAR Cup Series. The confidential nature of the settlement means that the precise terms of the charter transfer and any financial agreements will remain undisclosed to the public.

As the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs intensify, the field has narrowed to 12 contenders. The upcoming races at New Hampshire, Kansas, and the Charlotte Roval will determine which four drivers face elimination next. After successfully predicting some first-round exits, two experts offer their insights into who might struggle to advance in this high-stakes competition. Their predictions are based on current team performance, individual driver records, and the specific challenges each track presents.

The Round of 12 marks a pivotal phase where consistency and strategic performance are paramount. While some drivers managed to scrape through the initial round, the competition escalates significantly, demanding peak performance and error-free racing. Unexpected struggles and the pressure of elimination could lead to surprising outcomes, making each race crucial for the remaining hopefuls.

Expert Predictions for Round of 12 Eliminations

Our analysts, Matt Weaver and Nick DeGroot, have put forward their picks for the drivers most likely to be eliminated in the upcoming Round of 12. Their selections are based on a thorough evaluation of recent performance, historical data at the relevant tracks, and the overall championship readiness of each team. The unpredictable nature of playoff racing, especially with an elimination race at the challenging Charlotte Roval, means that even strong contenders could face an early exit if they don't perform flawlessly.

Matt Weaver's predictions include Chase Elliott, Austin Cindric, Ross Chastain, and Tyler Reddick. He notes that while Elliott's team has not demonstrated championship-winning form recently, they are capable of surprising. Cindric's team, despite his unexpected survival in the previous round, lacks the consistent top-five finishes needed to advance. Chastain, although a past Final Four contender, has not shown consistent season-long performance. Reddick, despite a recent boost at the Southern 500, has been inconsistent compared to his 2024 performance and starts the round at the bottom of the standings. Nick DeGroot largely echoes these sentiments, particularly highlighting Reddick's winless streak and Cindric's reliance on luck. DeGroot also points out Joey Logano's struggles on road courses and Kyle Larson's recent unforced errors and lack of wins since May as potential reasons for their elimination, despite starting with a points buffer.

Dark Horses and Surprising Survivors

Despite the strong contenders for elimination, both experts identify drivers who might unexpectedly advance. These drivers, while facing significant challenges, possess unique strengths or favorable track records that could help them defy expectations and secure a spot in the next round. The element of surprise is a perennial feature of NASCAR playoffs, where a single strong performance or a competitor's misstep can completely alter the playoff landscape.

Matt Weaver believes Joey Logano, despite not being in an even-numbered year (which he humorously ties to Logano's championship wins), will find a way to advance. Logano's ability to maximize his equipment and perform under pressure, even if it means just scraping by on points, is a key factor. Nick DeGroot sees Ross Chastain as a potential survivor. Chastain's past victory at Kansas and his strong performance on 1.5-mile tracks, coupled with his recent top-five qualifying efforts on road courses, make him a strong candidate to rack up crucial stage points, particularly at the Roval. Furthermore, Chastain’s participation in a tire test at New Hampshire Motor Speedway gives him an edge, suggesting he might overcome his perceived weakness at that track to continue his playoff run.