Carson Ware, a 26‑year‑old NASCAR driver from North Carolina, has been sober for five years after a battle with addiction that began when he was just 15. His story, marked by an early overdose and subsequent legal troubles, now serves as the centerpiece of a new public‑health initiative.
In August 2024, Ware’s No. 47 Chevrolet rolled onto the track at Iowa Speedway for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, where the ‘Before It Becomes More’ logo dominated the side panels. The partnership with Story County’s Youth Services Society (YSS) was on full display, turning the race into a moving billboard for opioid‑prevention.
Ware’s path to the cockpit has been anything but linear. After a highly publicized overdose, he faced arrest for intoxicated assault and a suspension from NASCAR that was lifted only after he demonstrated sustained recovery. The experience, he says, gave him a platform he is determined to use responsibly.
From the Track to the Treatment Center
The campaign’s visibility extends beyond the racetrack. Ware recently visited YSS’s Ember Recovery Campus in Newton, Iowa, where he shared his narrative with young people undergoing treatment, hoping to illustrate that help is attainable even after the darkest moments.
'Before It Becomes More' blends prevention education with tangible resources, aiming to intervene before substance misuse escalates. Funding from recent opioid‑settlement agreements supports the effort, enabling YSS to expand crisis‑stabilization services for Iowans aged 12 to 24.
Ware’s family, including team owner Rick Ware and fellow driver Cody Ware, has been vocal in supporting his advocacy. By coupling his racing pedigree with a genuine commitment to sobriety, he hopes to dismantle the stigma that often prevents young adults from seeking treatment.