CARLISLE, Pa. — If there was a team that’s a contender against any series or track in the country, it’s the Rico Abreu Racing No. 24.
They proved that this season. It didn’t matter where the team went, they were a threat—but the success doesn’t come as a surprise with Central Pennsylvania native Ricky Warner as the crew chief.
Sprint car racing is all he’s known since the mid-1990s. The Carlisle native Warner is one of, if not the best, sprint car crew chiefs in the history of the sport. He won 10 World of Outlaws Championships and 10 Knoxville Nationals turning the wrenches for Donny Schatz.
“He could complement me and he knew how I did things, I knew how to manipulate when I needed to. It was just a great combination as to what was happening. It’s hard going into to details," said Donny Schatz. "He was a good friend. We got along real well."
Schatz and Warner had a storied career together that will be hard to ever match. After winning their 10th and final Outlaw title together in 2018, Warner stepped away after bouts with some health problems.
But when racing is in his blood, it’s hard to stay away.
“After you’ve been in it for this long, it just becomes a way of life. Like a traveling circus, you see the same people every weekend," said Ricky Warner. "Two years ago, when I came off the road and had some health problems. You think about maybe is this time to switch or do something else and then something else usually happens, changes your mind and you want to keep going.”
In 2022, Warner teamed up with one of the most popular and talented drivers in the country, Rico Abreu. It didn’t take long for the duo to start clicking. They picked up six wins in 2021, then they more than doubled their win count in 2023. This season started by winning their first race out against the Outlaws at Lincoln Speedway, an area Warner knows well—being from this area.
“It was a big hit for us to win the first race out of the season. That confidence booster each weekend was really big for us. Just sustaining that level and staying humble through those times. I think it’s really important. The big races, I feel like we left a lot on the table, this year," said Rico Abreu, driver of the No. 24 Rico Abreu Racing.
They won against all three series—Outlaws, All-Stars and High Limit—while just missing the High Limit point series to Kyle Larson. This year showed the team what they can be capable of, because success isn’t built over night.
“Usually take a year to get to know somebody. Take them to a bunch of different race tracks and kind of figure out what their style is and where their comfort level is and what you need to do for them every night because every guy is different. It takes a little bit different from what he likes versus Don (Donny Schatz) or Kerry Madsen or other guys I’ve worked for," said Warner.
“He brings so much to these race teams and the success with Donny Schatz and the consistency they had and championships, Knoxville Nationals, National Opens, Tuscarora 50s and all the big crown jewels they were at and won. I just hope to build that in a resume while getting to race with Ricky Warner, or at least having a shot to win those races," said Abreu.
Could Warner be the final puzzle piece for Abreu to check off even more wins? The team has committed to race for a High Limit Championship.
“I really enjoy the racing. I don’t really enjoy the traveling. I like being at home and being with my family, but the racing is still important to me and I still like it," said Warner. "It gives me a reason to get up every day. As long as our cars are fast, it’s sort of rewarding. I’ve been in it this long now, so, might as well stick with it."
The stat that really stands out from the 2023 season, the team had 41 top-5s and 58 top-10s in 71 races. That's consistency. Rico Abreu Racing took two wins from the Pa Posse, the first, as mentioned before, at Lincoln Speedway and the second at the Summer Nationals. They won on one of the toughest tracks in the country, Williams Grove.
Will 2024 be the year for the No. 24? We’ll just have to wait and see. With Warner’s stellar resume, there should be talks about a nomination into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.
High Limit Series
Central Pennsylvania has another Pennsylvania team hitting the road. Brent Marks announced he's committing to be a roller.
This will be the first time Marks committed to a series since leaving CJB Motorsports and jumping back in his family car in April of 2021. He's racked up over 45 wins in the Murray Marks No. 19, over the last three seasons.