Curtis G. Sutton
Owner and President of Rackley Roofing Company Inc. and Co-Owner of Rackley W.A.R. Racing Team
Curtis and Dawson Sutton are a father/son duo in Lebanon. From Curtis’ esteemed businesses to Dawson’s racing career, the two are representing the community well. Read on to learn about their inspiring stories.
How did Rackley W.A.R. get its start, and what is it like having your son behind the wheel of No. 26?
Rackley W.A.R. was created in 2021 after having dinner with the owner of W.A.R. SHOCKS. At the time, my partner Willie had a one-car, late-model team that competed locally. Now we have 5 teams competing across the country, including one in the NASCAR Truck Series. This Truck is driven by my son, Dawson Sutton. Having Dawson behind the wheel of this truck is both rewarding and stressful. When we don’t perform well, we have the tough conversations that need to happen, but there are also plenty of hugs. At the end of the day, I love him the same no matter how the race ends.
How do you shift gears between running multiple business ventures and being a supportive, proud father?
In my world, there is no work-life balance. I am on the go six days a week, which doesn’t leave much time for anything else.
However, it is very important to carve out family time in our busy schedules. So, every Sunday evening, my family and I meet with my sister, two nephews, and their wives at a local Mexican restaurant and catch up and spend time together.
On a fun note: Tell us about your dog, Rackley.
When we first got Rackley, the golden retriever, my wife Nancy said she always wanted to name our next dog Rackley, which I had no idea about. There was no discussion over naming him because, of course, I love the name Rackley, so it was a perfect fit.
Is there anything else you'd like readers to know?
We are changing the world one roof at a time through our people. In our business, we have a diverse group of team members from all walks of life. To me, this is why it’s so critical for an organization to have Core Values. Rackley Roofing’s Core Values are essentially about being a great person. Humble, Hungry, Smart, Innovative, Customer Focused, and Accountable. If we have people who exemplify those values, then our team will be successful.
Dawson Sutton
Where did your passion for racing begin?
I fell in love with racing at 13, when I attended my first NASCAR Truck Series race at Daytona in 2019. From the moment I experienced the atmosphere and excitement, I knew this was what I wanted to pursue.
What has it been like to have your family behind you both professionally and personally? What has their support meant to you?
My family's support has meant everything to me. Knowing they believe in me both on and off track gives me confidence and keeps me motivated. Racing comes with plenty of highs and lows, and having people who are always in my corner makes a huge difference. I'm incredibly grateful for their encouragement and the sacrifices they've made to help me pursue my dream.
What are the top three lessons you’ve learned from pursuing your dreams in racing?
Always believe in yourself. It's easy to become discouraged, especially in a sport as competitive as racing. If you don't believe in yourself, it's hard to expect anyone else to believe in you.
Take extreme ownership. It's easy to blame others when things don't go as planned, but real growth comes from owning your mistakes, learning from them, and constantly looking for ways to improve.
Be patient. Patience has been one of the most valuable lessons I've learned. Success doesn't happen overnight, and every step of the journey teaches you something. Staying patient and trusting the process is essential for long-term success.
Do you have any encouragement for other young dreamers who aren’t as far along their path as you?
I'd just say to be patient and keep putting in the work. Everyone's path looks different, and it's easy to compare yourself to other people, but progress takes time. Focus on getting a little better every day, stay open to learning, and don't be afraid to take opportunities when they come. You never know where they'll lead.
Is there anything else you'd like readers to know?
I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who's supported me along the way: my family, my team, my partners, and the fans. Racing is a team sport, and I wouldn't be where I am without the people who believed in me. I'm excited to keep learning, growing, and seeing where this journey takes me.