Rackley W.A.R. Overview
Rackley-W.A.R., officially Rackley-Willie Allen Racing, is an American stock car racing team headquartered in Centerville, Tennessee, with operations expanding to Statesville, North Carolina beginning in 2025. The organization competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Super Late Model, Pro Late Model, CARS Tour, CARS Tour West, and ASA Late Model Series. Founded in 2008 by NASCAR driver Willie Allen as a Late Model team, the organization became a full-time Truck Series contender in 2021 following Curtis Sutton’s acquisition of half ownership. Rackley W.A.R. fields multiple Chevrolet Silverado trucks and maintains a technical alliance with Kevin Harvick Incorporated, with Rackley Roofing serving as the primary sponsor across multiple entries.
Founding and Organizational Origins
Rackley W.A.R. traces its roots to 2008 when NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Willie Allen established Willie Allen Racing as a Late Model program. Allen built the organization under the shortened name W.A.R. while also developing the W.A.R. Shocks brand. The early operation focused on Super Late Model and Pro Late Model competition, establishing a foundation in stock car racing infrastructure and driver development. Allen’s dual role as team owner and driver shaped the organization’s identity as a family-oriented racing operation.
In 2020, Curtis Sutton, chief executive officer of Rackley Roofing, purchased half ownership of the organization, transforming the Late Model team into a NASCAR national series competitor. The partnership combined Allen’s racing experience with Sutton’s business leadership and the sponsorship resources of Rackley Roofing. This strategic alliance positioned the team to expand beyond regional Late Model competition into NASCAR’s national touring series structure.
Growth Into NASCAR Competition
The transition to national series competition accelerated rapidly following Sutton’s involvement. On December 18, 2020, the newly formed Rackley W.A.R. announced its entry into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for the 2021 season. The organization named Timothy Peters as the full-time driver of the No. 25 Chevrolet Silverado, signaling its intent to compete at the sport’s highest developmental level. The team’s debut came at the 2021 NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2021, marking the beginning of its Truck Series program.
Rackley W.A.R. invested in expanding its technical infrastructure and driver lineup throughout 2021 and 2022. The organization added a second Truck Series entry, the No. 26, for select events beginning in 2022. In October 2024, Rackley W.A.R. announced a partnership with Kevin Harvick Incorporated, aligning with the former NASCAR Cup Series champion’s racing operation. One month later, the team disclosed plans to relocate its headquarters from Centerville, Tennessee, to the former GMS Racing fabrication facility in Statesville, North Carolina, beginning in 2025, consolidating its operations within a proven racing facility.
Rackley W.A.R. Competitive Journey
Since entering the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2021, Rackley W.A.R. has steadily developed into a competitive organization through strategic driver acquisitions, technical partnerships, and multi-series participation. The team has navigated the challenges of establishing a national presence while maintaining its Late Model development platform, culminating in its first Truck Series victory and playoff berth.
Early Seasons and Development (2021-2022)
Rackley W.A.R. experienced typical first-season challenges during its inaugural Truck Series campaign in 2021. Timothy Peters drove the No. 25 full-time, with his best finish of 16th coming at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The team struggled with consistency, parting ways with Peters midway through the season. Josh Berry assumed driving duties for select events and delivered the team’s best result of the year with a 10th-place finish at the SpeedyCash.com 220 at Texas Motor Speedway. Additional drivers including Brett Moffitt and co-founder Willie Allen competed in the No. 25 at various events throughout the season.
The 2022 season marked a significant turning point for Rackley W.A.R. Matt DiBenedetto joined as the full-time driver of the No. 25 and delivered immediate results. After an inconsistent regular season, DiBenedetto captured the team’s first-ever NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory at the Talladega fall race, crossing the finish line first in dramatic fashion. This breakthrough win validated the organization’s investment in competitive equipment and established Rackley W.A.R. as a legitimate winning team within the series.
Breakthrough in Truck Series (2023-Present)
The 2023 season represented Rackley W.A.R.’s most successful campaign to date. DiBenedetto returned to the No. 25 and demonstrated consistent competitiveness throughout the regular season, recording nine top-ten finishes including a six-race streak. His standout third-place finish at North Wilkesboro Speedway secured the team’s first-ever playoff berth in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Though eliminated during the playoff rounds at Kansas, the accomplishment validated the organization’s upward trajectory.
Following DiBenedetto’s departure after the 2023 season, Rackley W.A.R. signed Ty Dillon to drive the No. 25 full-time in 2024. The organization continued its development focus, promoting Dawson Sutton, son of co-owner Curtis Sutton, to take over the No. 25 for the final five races of the season. On October 17, 2024, Rackley W.A.R. announced that Dawson Sutton would become the full-time driver of the No. 26 beginning in 2025, signaling a generational shift within the organization. Additionally, the team announced Toni Breidinger as the part-time driver of the No. 27 for eight races in 2025.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2024-Present)
Rackley W.A.R. enters 2025 with its most ambitious structure to date, fielding multiple full-time and part-time entries across the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series while maintaining its comprehensive Late Model program. The partnership with Kevin Harvick Incorporated provides technical support and driver development resources, enhancing the organization’s competitive capabilities. The relocation to Statesville, North Carolina, consolidates operations within a dedicated racing facility, improving efficiency and infrastructure.
The current driver lineup features Dawson Sutton as the anchor of the organization’s Truck Series program, competing full-time in the No. 26. Toni Breidinger drives the No. 27 on a part-time basis, bringing experience to the team’s expanded effort. Beyond Truck Series competition, Rackley W.A.R. continues to compete in Super Late Model, Pro Late Model, CARS Tour, CARS Tour West, and ASA Late Model Series, developing drivers such as William Sawalich, Rodney Dowless Jr., and Keelan Harvick across multiple platforms.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
Rackley W.A.R. emphasizes driver development as a core organizational philosophy, leveraging its multi-series presence to cultivate talent from Late Model competition into NASCAR national series racing. The partnership with Kevin Harvick Incorporated and technical alliance with Chevrolet provide the engineering expertise and equipment resources necessary to compete at a high level. The organization balances competitive ambition with strategic patience, building toward sustained success through incremental improvement.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Rackley W.A.R. achieved its first major milestone on October 15, 2022, when Matt DiBenedetto captured the organization’s maiden NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory at Talladega Superspeedway. The following season, the team secured its first playoff berth with DiBenedetto’s third-place finish at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The partnership announcement with Kevin Harvick Incorporated in October 2024 represented a significant organizational advancement, aligning Rackley W.A.R. with one of NASCAR’s most successful drivers and establishing a pathway for continued growth.
Rackley W.A.R. Achievements and Results
Rackley W.A.R. has compiled a record of one NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory, one playoff appearance, and one playoff round advancement across its four seasons of national competition through 2026. The organization has recorded 128 races competed in the Truck Series, demonstrating consistent participation in the series while building toward sustained championship contention.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Achievements
The team’s signature achievement came on October 15, 2022, when Matt DiBenedetto drove the No. 25 Rackley Roofing Chevrolet Silverado to victory lane at Talladega Superspeedway. The win marked the organization’s first victory in 58 Truck Series starts and established Rackley W.A.R. among the series’ winningest teams. DiBenedetto’s victory in the season’s final playoff race demonstrated the team’s ability to perform under pressure on NASCAR’s largest superspeedway. Through 2026, Rackley W.A.R. has accumulated one total Truck Series victory.
Conference Achievements
Rackley W.A.R. achieved its first playoff berth in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series during the 2023 season. The team qualified for the playoff field through DiBenedetto’s consistent performances, marking the organization’s debut in the series’ championship format. Although eliminated during the Round of 8 at Kansas Speedway, the playoff appearance validated Rackley W.A.R.’s progression from a first-year operation to a competitive playoff-caliber team within four seasons.
Divisional Achievements
Rackley W.A.R. competes across multiple regional and national Late Model divisions through its driver development program. The organization fields entries in the CARS Tour, CARS Tour West, and ASA Stars Late Model Series, providing drivers with competitive opportunities at various levels. Drivers including William Sawalich, Rodney Dowless Jr., and Keelan Harvick represent the organization across these platforms, building experience toward potential NASCAR national series advancement.
Series Achievements
The organization’s versatility across multiple racing disciplines distinguishes Rackley W.A.R. from single-series competitors. Through its Late Model program established in 2008, Rackley W.A.R. has developed drivers and technical capabilities that support its Truck Series operation. The expansion to multiple Truck Series entries, combined with continued participation in Super Late Model and Pro Late Model competition, reflects an integrated approach to building a sustainable racing organization capable of competing across multiple series simultaneously.