Changes

Ware was also instrumental in motorcar racing in San Antonio. Himself a racer in his younger years, he became the owner and operator of the Pan American Speedway on the Austin Highway and then on the Toepperwein Road. Ware's track closed after the building in 1978 of the San Antonio Speedway. He encouraged stock car racing undertaken by his two sons, Richard "Ricci," Jr. (born July 13, 1960) of Culpeper, [[Virginia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/ricci-ware/150040954|title=Ricci Ware|publisher=MyLife.com|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref> and [[Trey Ware|Trey Allen Ware]]<ref name=fiftiethanniversary/> another long-term KTSA radio personality who hosts the call-in program on weekday mornings. In 1989, Frank Howell, the former owner of the San Antonio Speedway, hired Ricci Ware to manage and run the half-mile speedway. During this time he booked the popular Texas Super Sprinters Association, a winged sprint car series that raced on dirt tracks across Central and South Texas.<ref name=fiftiethanniversary/>

Ware was also instrumental in motorcar racing in San Antonio. Himself a racer in his younger years, he became the owner and operator of the Pan American Speedway on the Austin Highway and then on the Toepperwein Road. Ware's track closed after the building in 1978 of the San Antonio Speedway. He encouraged stock car racing undertaken by his two sons, Richard "Ricci," Jr. (born July 13, 1960) of Culpeper, [[Virginia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/ricci-ware/150040954|title=Ricci Ware|publisher=MyLife.com|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref> and [[Trey Ware|Trey Allen Ware]]<ref name=fiftiethanniversary/> another long-term KTSA radio personality who hosts the call-in program on weekday mornings. In 1989, Frank Howell, the former owner of the San Antonio Speedway, hired Ricci Ware to manage and run the half-mile speedway. During this time he booked the popular Texas Super Sprinters Association, a winged sprint car series that raced on dirt tracks across Central and South Texas.<ref name=fiftiethanniversary/>

On September 1, 2007, Ware was honored at an old-fashioned sock hop at John T. Floore’s Country Store in Helotes, Texas, on the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary of being on the airwaves in San Antonio though his career actually started in [[Austin, Texas|Austin]]. Two former mayors attended; performers included the legendary musicians, Fiddlin’ Frenchie Burke and Augie Meyers of the Texas Tornados, along with the Oh So Good Band. The event was sponsored by San Antonio industrialist Red McCombs and emceeded by Ware's long-time friend and KTSA colleague, [[Bruce Hathaway]] (1938-2017).<ref name=fiftiethanniversary>{{cite web|url=http://blog.mysanantonio.com/motorsports/2007/09/ricci-ware-san-antonio-radio-legend-and-motorsports-icon/|title=Ricci Ware, San Antonio radio legend and motorsports icon|publisher=blog.mysanantonio.com|date=September 1, 2007|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref> Less than a year after the fiftieth anniversary celebration, KTSA cancelled Ware's talk show, which was then airing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays. The premise for his removal was the establishment of an hour-long mid-day news program. Ware was allowed to announce his exit on the air and was given a Sunday program from 5 to 7 p.m. instead; "they tossed me a bone," Ware quipped.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.mysanantonio.com/jakle06/2008/04/ricci-wares-radio-show-axed/|title=Ricci Ware's radio show axed|publisher=blog.mysanantonio.com|date=April 25, 2008|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref> Ware finally retired from KTSA in 2012.<ref name=findagrave/>

On September 1, 2007, Ware was honored at an old-fashioned sock hop at John T. Floore's Country Store in Helotes, Texas, on the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary of being on the airwaves in San Antonio though his career actually started in [[Austin, Texas|Austin]]. Two former mayors attended; performers included the legendary musicians, Fiddlin’ Frenchie Burke and Augie Meyers of the Texas Tornados, along with the Oh So Good Band. The event was sponsored by San Antonio industrialist Red McCombs and emceeded by Ware's long-time friend and KTSA colleague, [[Bruce Hathaway]] (1938-2017).<ref name=fiftiethanniversary>{{cite web|url=http://blog.mysanantonio.com/motorsports/2007/09/ricci-ware-san-antonio-radio-legend-and-motorsports-icon/|title=Ricci Ware, San Antonio radio legend and motorsports icon|publisher=blog.mysanantonio.com|date=September 1, 2007|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref> Less than a year after the fiftieth anniversary celebration, KTSA cancelled Ware's talk show, which was then airing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays. The premise for his removal was the establishment of an hour-long mid-day news program. Ware was allowed to announce his exit on the air and was given a Sunday program from 5 to 7 p.m. instead; "they tossed me a bone," Ware quipped.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.mysanantonio.com/jakle06/2008/04/ricci-wares-radio-show-axed/|title=Ricci Ware's radio show axed|publisher=blog.mysanantonio.com|date=April 25, 2008|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref> Ware finally retired from KTSA in 2012.<ref name=findagrave/>

Ware and Bruce Hathaway quickly became household names during the [[Rock (music)|rock ’n’ roll]] era of the 1960s. Hathaway, who died three months after Ware's passing,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mysantoniocom/news/local/article/Legendary-S-A-radio-personality-Bruce-Hathaway-10891162.php|title=Radio personality Bruce Hathaway dies at 78|date=January 30, 2017|publisher=''San Antonio Express-News''|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref> said at the time of his friend's death: "He shouldn’t be dead. He and I should just now be getting out of prison for all the fun and happiness that we had. He was one of my dearest friends, and we raised hell. We were like brothers. It’s just a sad day.”<ref name=waredeath/>

Ware and Bruce Hathaway quickly became household names during the [[Rock (music)|rock ’n’ roll]] era of the 1960s. Hathaway, who died three months after Ware's passing,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mysantoniocom/news/local/article/Legendary-S-A-radio-personality-Bruce-Hathaway-10891162.php|title=Radio personality Bruce Hathaway dies at 78|date=January 30, 2017|publisher=''San Antonio Express-News''|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref> said at the time of his friend's death: "He shouldn’t be dead. He and I should just now be getting out of prison for all the fun and happiness that we had. He was one of my dearest friends, and we raised hell. We were like brothers. It’s just a sad day.”<ref name=waredeath/>