Centerville, Tenn. (August 22, 2022) – Lebanon, Tennessee’s Dawson Sutton will attempt his first Pro Late Model start on Friday at 5 Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.
Sutton began his U.S. Legend Cars International and INEX season driving in the Semi-Pro division for 2022, where he’s participated in Atlanta Motor Speedway's Thursday Thunder series, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Summer Shootout series, and a host of other national events, both asphalt and dirt. He has accumulated four podium top-3 finishes, a 4th place finish and three 5th place finishes. His career best came at Brushcreek Motorsports Complex in Peebles, Ohio, where he finished 2nd. He’s currently 13th in USLCI national championship points of more than 300 registered asphalt drivers.
The 16-year-old says he owes his chance to sit behind the wheel this season to Willie Allen, Rackley W.A.R.’s driver development program mentor and co-owner of the organization.
“It’s an honor to drive the No. 26 Rackley W.A.R. car in my first-ever Pro Late Model start at Five Flags Speedway this Friday night.
“Willie Allen Racing (W.A.R.) is the reason I am in racing to begin with. He traded for a Legends car early this year so I’ve had the opportunity to drive for Joe Ryan Racecars and Team Hornaday Development this year. I have spent the last six months with this organization, including moving to North Carolina this summer to be trained by an elite team, elite coaches and teammates.”
“This dream of being a race car driver would not be possible without thanking many people. My parents, Curtis and Willie of Rackley W.A.R., Joe, Candice and Billy of Joe Ryan Racing, Ron Hornaday of Hornaday Development and Rackley Roofing which is comprised of over 230 employees and has been my primary sponsor this entire season.”
Allen says the team is excited for Sutton’s first late model race, and that he’s been quite impressed with his performance this year in the U. S. Legends car.
“Dawson has done really well this year. Whether it was on asphalt or dirt, he’s adapted extremely well to the race car and many different tracks and conditions. He’s stayed up on the wheel and showed great tenacity on the race track and has exhibited a huge willingness to learn. We’re confident he’ll have a good race on Friday and the team is definitely pumped to get him out there.”
Sutton added that 5 Flags has always been one of his favorite short tracks to visit.
“5 Flags Speedway has always been one of my top-5 favorite race tracks. I’m really looking forward to this opportunity on Friday.”
Dawson will reportedly have some practice time at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway Tuesday and will have more on-track time at 5 Flags on Thursday under the watch of Willie Allen in advance of Friday’s Allen Turner Automotive 100-lap Pro Late Model Feature.
The first green flag will fly at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Friday and flag-to-flag coverage will be available via live stream at Racing America.
-Rackley WAR Press Release