Haley, at the age of 24, has experienced a rollercoaster ride in his NASCAR career, marked by both challenges and successes. His notable achievement includes securing his only Cup victory in 2019 when he triumphed in a rain-shortened race at Daytona with Spire Motorsports.
From 2019 to 2021, he competed in the Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing, where he clinched four victories. In 2022, Haley made the move to the Cup Series with Kaulig, facing difficulties in the transition.
His most notable finish with Kaulig came in the previous season at the inaugural Chicago street race, where he finished as the runner-up to Shane van Gisbergen.
Despite Rick Ware Racing being a newer organization, it has not attained the level of success enjoyed by Kaulig in NASCAR, leading to scrutiny of Haley’s decision.
Reflecting on his move to RWR, Haley emphasized the importance of positioning oneself for success and saw the change as an opportunity.
He highlighted the significance of aligning with a different manufacturer in Ford and forming a technical alliance with RFK Racing. Haley praised Rick and Lisa Ware for their honesty, welcoming demeanor, and scrappy approach in running their race teams over their 20-year history.
Haley is set to compete full-time in RWR’s No. 51 Ford, while the No. 15 team will feature multiple drivers, with Kaz Grala making the most starts. Expressing excitement, Haley mentioned the benefit of having a full-time driver in the seat for consistency.
The recent hiring of Chris Lawson as Haley’s crew chief was a significant development for RWR. Lawson, known for his success with Front Row Motorsports’ Truck team, is viewed by Haley as a winner who brings a strong work ethic. Haley is optimistic about Lawson’s contribution and hopes to assess their progress in the first half of the season.
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Haley is realistic about not expecting immediate success with a string of wins. However, he believes that RWR possesses all the necessary tools to be competitive in the Cup series. The focus now is on utilizing these tools effectively and striving for competitiveness throughout the season.
