NASCAR Truck Series team makes puzzling personnel decision ahead of Kansas race

 On Monday, Rackley WAR Racing announced that 18-year-old Dawson Sutton — son of team co-owner Curtis Sutton — will pilot the No. 25 Chevrolet Silverado for the remainder of the 2024 season. Ty Dillon, who drove the first 18 races of 2024 for the team, will remain with the organization as an advisor for Sutton.

Sutton has made two Truck Series starts for the team so far in 2024, finishing 28th in his debut at North Wilkesboro and 18th at his home track of Nashville. 

Dillon currently sits 18th in Truck Series points out of 24 full-time drivers, with the No. 25 truck sitting 22nd in the Truck Series' owner standings. 

The change marks the second time in two seasons that Rackley WAR will not have one driver compete in all 23 Truck Series races. In 2023, Matt DiBenedetto — who won the team's first race at Talladega in 2022 — made the Truck Series playoffs with team, but was also removed after that year's race at Bristol, leaving Chandler Smith, Trevor Bayne and Stefan Parsons to fill in over the final three races of the season. 

Sutton is likely the future of the team, and it makes sense that the organization wants the young driver to get more laps under his belt. However, it does seem strange to kick a veteran driver out of his seat so late in the season. 

The move comes at a time when Dillon is expected to make a Cup Series return in 2025 with Kaulig Racing, meaning he's no longer racing to cement a job for next season.

The team's first race with Sutton behind the wheel of their flagship entry will take place on Friday at the Kansas Speedway. The Kubota Tractor 200 will go green shortly after 8:30 p.m. ET, with coverage on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.