FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Centerville, Tenn. (Jan. 12, 2024) — Dawson Sutton first stepped into a race car during the 2022 U.S. Legends Cars Series tour competing nationally on asphalt and dirt. He was quick to catch the eye of racing veteran and NASCAR Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday and daughter, Candice.
Through an association with Hornaday Racing Development and Joey Ryan Race Cars, Sutton turned his countless hours of sim racing to learn his craft into a short learning curve on the racetrack with wins and consistent podium finishes in the series, quickly turning heads in the motorsports arena.
In 2023, under the direction of Rackley W.A.R. Racing Development’s mentor, Willie Allen, Dawson ramped up his driving career, competing in some 34 Pro Late Model races at his home track of Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. His schedule also included many other high-level events throughout the southeast including races at New Smyrna Speedway, Montgomery Motor Speedway, Crisp Motorsports Park, Tri-County Speedway, Hickory Motor Speedway, ACE Speedway, Caraway Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, and 5 Flags Speedway where Sutton won twice and finished 4th in the Snowball Derby weekend’s Snowflake 100.
In his very first full-time late model season driving for Rackley Roofing Company and W.A.R. Shocks, Sutton stacked up 4 pole awards, 2 wins, and 16 top-5s that included 5 second-place finishes. He capped it off with a Pro Late Model Rookie of the Year honor at Nashville’s historic Fairgrounds Speedway in his No. 26 Chevrolet.
For 2024, Sutton will continue to advance his driving career committing to the full ASA Stars Super Late Model tour schedule as well as entering other marquee races around the country. The soon-to-be 18-year-old from Lebanon, Tennessee says he’s ready for the task and is eager to make his first laps in a Super Late Model beginning next weekend for Crisp Motorsports Park’s multi-day SpeedFest event at Watermelon Capital Speedway.
“I am very excited and honored for this opportunity to be racing for Rackley W.A.R. full-time in the Super Late Model division for 2024. This is a dream come true. Rackley W.A.R. has an excellent program and I’m very excited to kick things off at SpeedFest next week.
“I’m expecting some challenges transitioning to the Super Late Model, but with this team behind me, I’m ready for it. I’m looking forward to the opportunity of racing against the most experienced and some of the best late-model drivers in the country.
“With only two years of racing experience, it’s going to be interesting to see where I stack up against these drivers from a talent standpoint,” added Sutton. “I’m excited to go make my sponsors Rackley Roofing Company and W.A.R. Shocks, along with my very talented crew and fans, very proud.”
Sutton’s father, Curtis Sutton, CEO of Rackley Roofing Company and Rackley W.A.R., has been both his son’s biggest fan but also his biggest challenger when it comes to seeing his son prove himself by gaining knowledge, seat time, race car control, and learning the business-side of racing; all to better prepare Sutton for the possibility to race in the higher levels of NASCAR.
“I am looking forward to seeing how Dawson competes in the Super Late Model series. With the success he had in his rookie season with Rackley W.A.R.’s Pro Late Model team, I believe he’s up to the challenge,” Curtis said. “He’s worked extremely hard getting himself ready, but he will need to prove that he continues to learn his racing craft and get better with every race.”
Sutton will join teammate Gavan Boschele on the Super Late Model trail this year. The duo will be joined by NASCAR Cup driver Ross Chastain who will compete in the team’s Pro Late Model coming up at Cordele.
Catch all the SpeedFest action live-streaming on Racing America. The on-track schedule begins next Thursday with open practice and runs through Saturday, Jan. 20. For a complete rundown of the schedule, visit CrispMotorsportsPark.com.
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ABOUT RACKLEY W.A.R.
Rackley W.A.R. offers motorsports competition, development, marketing, management, and a suite of other industry-related services for professional race car drivers, race teams and industry sponsors. Rackley W.A.R. competes nationally in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as well as operating a driver development program based at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and in regional Super and Pro Late Model events. Rackley W.A.R. is headed and co-owned by Curtis Sutton (Rackley Roofing, Inc.) and Willie Allen (Willie Allen Racing and W.A.R. Shocks).
