NASCAR
Ty Dillon Returns to Full-Time Craftsman Truck Series Competition for 2024
CENTERVILLE, Tenn. – Announced Friday, Rackley W.A.R. has hired veteran Ty Dillon to race their No. 25 Chevrolet Silverado in 2024. The younger Dillon brother will return to full-time driving duties in the Craftsman Truck Series for the first time in 11 years. His first start in the No. 25 will be at Daytona in February.
“We are excited to announce Ty Dillon as the driver for Rackley W.A.R. in the NASCAR Truck Series.” President and Chief Operating Officer Willie Allen said. “Ty’s exceptional talent is a perfect fit for our team as we elevate our engineering and technological capabilities to new heights.”
In just their third full-time season, the No. 25 made the 2023 Playoffs with Matt DiBenedetto. Matty D earned this team 13 top-10s, eventually finishing the year ninth in owner points. The No. 25’s best finish this year was third at both North Wilkesboro and Kansas. DiBenedetto did earn Rackley’s first win at Talladega in October 2022
Rackley did prematurely sever ties with DiBenedetto a few races early. The final three races of 2023 saw Chandler Smith, Trevor Bayne, and Stefan Parsons in this seat.
“We’re investing in cutting-edge technology and innovative engineering to ensure Ty has one the most competitive trucks on the track,” Allen continued. “This season marks a new chapter for our team. We’re ready to showcase our progress and for a championship run. We look forward to making this season the new benchmark in our racing history.”
Rackley Roofing Company, Inc. will also return as the 25’s primary sponsor for 16 races. Partners for the remaining slots are still to be announced.
“Racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is extremely competitive. Over these last three years, we have learned a ton of what to do and what not to do,” Rackley W.A.R. Chief Executive Officer Curtis Sutton said. “I believe we have put a team together with Ty Dillon behind the wheel of the No. 25 Chevrolet Silverado, where great things are in store in 2024 for this team, our sponsors and everyone who supports this organization, including Chevrolet Motorsports.”
Dillon spent 2023 racing in the Cup Series for Spire Motorsports. His previous seat in the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro is now occupied by rookie Carson Hocevar.
2024 marks Dillon’s first time racing full-time in the Truck Series since 2013. That season, he was championship runner-up to Matt Crafton. That followed a 2012 Rookie of the Year campaign where he ended up fourth in the standings.
“I’m excited to go back to the Truck Series and compete in the series that got it all started for me,” Dillon said. “I have a lot of good memories from earlier in my career with winning races and poles, and our goal is to create more this season. Rackley W.A.R. has built a solid foundation and it’s an honor to be a part of taking them to the winning level they want to be at. I’m very appreciative of this opportunity and ready to get started in Daytona.”
Over the course of 58 total Truck Series starts, Ty Dillon has seen three wins, 20 top-fives, and 36 top-10s. In the decade since last running in the Trucks, Dillon has made over 400 starts between Cup and Xfinity. He does have one Xfinity win (Indianapolis 2014) and seven Cup Series top-10s.
Expectations for Dillon should be a regular top-10 threat with his veteran experience. This team was over .500 batting average in top-10s a year ago, and should at least match this stat line. Whether or not Dillon is contending for wins or a Playoff spot remains to be seen. He should be seen as a winning contender with his history in the sport, and may deliver Rackley a second-straight postseason berth.
The Craftsman Truck Series will return to action in 2024 at Daytona International Speedway with the NextEra Energy 250. The green flag will fly on the new season Friday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. EST on FS1.
Written by Peter Stratta
Be sure to follow us on Twitter
Be sure to follow the writer on Twitter and YouTube
Photo Credits to Rackley WAR and Peter Stratta/TSJSports
