Rackley W.A.R. has confirmed that the team will return to the Craftsman Truck Series in 2025 with a full-time driver leading the way.
Dawson Sutton, who competes in Pro and Super Late Models for Rackley W.A.R., will make the full-time move to NASCAR as he continues competing for the Tennessee-based team. He will drive the No. 26 Chevrolet Silverado while competing for Rookie of the Year honors.
Sutton made his move to the Truck Series earlier this season. He made two starts in the No. 26 Chevrolet before replacing a veteran driver in the No. 25.
Ty Dillon, who started the season as the full-time driver for Rackley, took on the role of driver coach and mentor after the fall race at Bristol Motor Speedway. He then later announced that he will return to the Cup Series in 2025 while driving for Kaulig Racing.
Sutton made his first start in place of Dillon at Kansas Speedway. He started fifth and finished fifth. Sutton then finished 24th at Talladega Superspeedway after avoiding three multi-truck incidents.
"I really don't think there's anything he can't do," team co-owner Willie Allen said about Sutton in a press release. "He has a great work ethic; he doesn't take any of this for granted.
"He works hard to be the best he can be no matter what the situation. He's had a short learning curve in everything he's attempted, and I don't see any reason that wouldn't continue in the Truck Series. We place a lot of confidence in him to represent this team and any of our partners very well going forward."
Rackley W.A.R. is closing out its fourth year of competition in the Truck Series. The Tennessee team made its debut in 2021 with a variety of drivers in control of the No. 25 Chevrolet. This list included current Cup Series drivers William Byron and Josh Berry.
Matt DiBenedetto, a former Cup driver, led the way for two seasons while delivering significant moments. He won the team's first Truck Series race at Talladega and then he made the playoffs the following season.
DiBenedetto's tenure with Rackley W.A.R. ended after his elimination from the 2023 playoffs, so the team turned to a rotating lineup of drivers to close out the season. Dillon then took over the entry for 2024.
Now, Sutton will be the team's driver as he continues a journey that began with a challenge from his father, team co-owner Curtis Sutton.
"When we started this three years ago, I explicitly told him he had three years to prove himself. He took that to heart and went to work crafting his skill," Curtis said in a statement. "I couldn't teach him how to race. I entrusted the best I knew of in Willie Allen, Ron and Candice Hornaday, and Joe Ryan to help me determine if he could really do this. He did.
"Racing is not only a business, but a family for sure. Blood or not, it's a family. But, when it is your blood and the family is on the road for 50 or more races a year together, I won't lie — it's special. I'm proud of him just as his mother is.
"She spent many, many days on the road in his young U.S. Legends career while I was balancing travel between his events and the Truck Series events. To see this all come full circle is storybook for our family and the many dedicated Rackley W.A.R. and Rackley Roofing Company team members."
