Chris Buescher commends Cody Ware for his quick decision-making following a serious brake failure during last Sunday’s NASCAR Chicago Street Race. Ware chose to intentionally crash into a tire wall to avoid involving other drivers, a move Buescher praised during media availability ahead of the Sonoma Raceway event.
Cody Ware’s Split-Second Choice Prevented a Multi-Car Accident
During the Chicago Street Race, Ware faced a terrifying moment when his brake pedal suddenly dropped to the floor while approaching a turn. Instead of risking a collision with another driver, Ware steered directly into a tire wall to stop his car alone. Buescher, who was following behind, described the impact as significant but noted Ware emerged mostly unharmed.
“I’d seen him blow a rotor and I seen the parts scatter as soon as it happened. I was right there,”
Buescher recalled about the incident in Chicago’s Windy City.
After the crash, Buescher talked with Ware and found him sore but otherwise safe. He expressed how difficult it is for drivers to make the decision Ware did, since instinct typically pushes them to avoid hitting the wall.
“I did tell him, ‘I commend you for turning it right’ because that is the hardest thing to convince yourself as a driver if you have a failure, to turn into the wall to try and knock speed out. Instinct is to turn away and say, ‘I’m going to save this, I’m going to get there.’ He did everything right that he could do in that moment,”
Buescher said.
The Serious Impact of Hitting a Tire Wall on a Street Course
Many assume that crashing into a tire wall is less dangerous than striking a concrete barrier, but Buescher clarified that the damage and force involved can still be severe, especially on a street course like Chicago.
“If it had been an oval, he’d have scrubbed the wall all the way around the corner and come in and said, ‘Man, that sucked,’”
Buescher explained.
“But with a street course like that, that impact was massive. I’m glad he’s okay. It’s just really unfortunate.”
Having experienced rotor failures himself, Buescher understands how frightening these sudden mechanical problems can be.
“I’ve had rotors blow out and you typically just don’t get a warning,”
he added.
“That initial stab of the (brake) pad and it falls apart and you’re along for the ride.”
The Courage and Presence of Mind Required in Critical Moments
Chris Buescher’s praise for Ware highlights the bravery and quick thinking needed in high-risk racing situations. Choosing to collide with the wall rather than other drivers not only reduced potential injuries but also minimized further damage on the track.
This incident underscores the importance of driver composure during emergencies, a quality that can prevent larger accidents and keep the racing field safer overall. As NASCAR teams prepare for upcoming races at venues like Sonoma Raceway, such examples of responsible decision-making will remain essential for competitors and fans alike.
