As Rackley W.A.R. enters the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season with a new face behind the wheel — Ty Dillon — it will also have a veteran presence atop the pit box. Shane Wilson was officially named as the team’s crew chief for the 2024 season on Tuesday.
Wilson is chomping at the bit to get going.
“I’m excited to be a part of a Playoff team, and to be able to work with a Cup-caliber driver in Ty Dillon,” Wilson stated. “In working with Willie Allen while we established the goals for this new opportunity, I think the word is ‘comfortable.’ That’s the feeling I get; it’s a good organization.”
Wilson takes over for Chad Kendrick, who had served as the crew chief for Rackley W.A.R.’s NASCAR Truck Series program since its inception in 2021.
The team, which made the Playoffs in 2023, feels Wilson has the tools and experience to bring them to the next level in 2024.
“I think having Shane at the helm of the pit box and in the race shop definitely brings the veteran assets we need to take our team to the next level,” Rackley W.A.R. President and Chief Operating Officer Willie Allen said in a press release. “His past success and work experience with Ty [Dillon] in the NASCAR Truck Series, and that relationship spells a win-win opportunity for this team.”
Additionally, Wilson’s long-standing ties to Chevrolet seem to have played a factor in the team acquiring him for the upcoming season.
“Shane has a strong relationship with Chevrolet and that will continue to grow that manufacturer alliance that we’ve been fortunate to establish at a higher level. This is truly a big year for all of us; to prove we will be a team in contention week in and week out. Our common goals are in place, and we feel confident that positive results will present themselves more than ever in 2024.
“This has been a tireless off-season effort to bring the right people, parts and pieces together to set a precedent very early on in this race season.”
Not only does Wilson have ties to Chevrolet, but he’s worked with Dillon in the past as he was heading up the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Truck Series program in 2012 and 2013 when Dillon was racing there.
“I’m so excited to be working with Shane,” Dillon explained. “He and I have been teammates in the past. He’s a veteran crew chief with a lot of winning experience. He’s going to help us get on the right path to success. He knows how to win at every level in NASCAR and I have a long-standing relationship since his days at RCR.”
Rackley W.A.R. made the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs in 2023 through sheer consistency. The team has one NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory, which came at Talladega Superspeedway in 2022. With Wilson, a crew chief with 27 NASCAR National Series wins under his belt, at the helm, the team hopes to be a more consistent visitor to victory lane.
