Kyle Strickler makes the move to dirt late model racing

Strickler moved to North Carolina in hopes of finding a late model ride; He just found one

Kyle Strickler made the move to Mooresville, NC in 2016. The goal was to find a dirt late model ride.

In 2018, he ran Eldora Dirt Derby for the NASCAR Truck Series. He started 23rd and finished 31st after issues.

In the modified, he’s won just about everything. But, he hasn’t seen much opportunity to showcase those talents in fendered late models.

Eric Wells piloted the #18 dirt late model. He is the owner/driver for that team. Now, he’s looking to dial back on his own racing efforts which presented Strickler the opportinity he’s been waiting for.

Bobby Pierce, Tim McCreadie, Eric Wells, Dale McDowell and Gregg Satterlee at Florence Speedway 5087
Bobby Pierce, Tim McCreadie, Eric Wells, Dale McDowell and Gregg Satterlee at Florence Speedway 5087

Eric Wells on signing Kyle Strickler

“Since 2005, driving the racecar has been my main focus,” Eric Wells commented. “However, over the past year we’ve started to build Wells and Sons Motorsports here in Hazard. We’ve already had a lot of great support from the racing community in this area. As a result, growing this company for the future is my primary goal moving forward.”

Wells and Sons Motorsports offers a full line of racing parts to the industry. That has since been expanded to chassis lines.

“We are now an official dealer for Longhorn Late Model Chassis and Longhorn Modifieds as well as Brucebilt Performance Modifieds. In addition, we can provide XR1 Rocket Chassis to anyone interested,” Wells revealed. “We are able to provide everything from bare chassis to complete rollers.”

Eric Wells is an owner/driver of his late model program. This is in addition to operating the full-time business. To lessen the load, the team is bringing in modified star Kyle Strickler.

“Having Kyle as part of our team brings a wealth of Modified knowledge to Wells and Sons Motorsports. We’ll be able to share this with our customers to help them perform at the top level,” Eric Wells continued.

“Meanwhile, Kyle will get the opportunity to compete regularly in a top-notch Super Late Model. This is a win-win for all parties involved,” Well concluded.

Kyle Strickler
Kyle Strickler

Kyle Strickler on his dirt late model ride

“I moved from Pennsylvania to North Carolina in 2016 with hopes of progressing into a major Dirt Late Model ride,” Strickler explained.

“Needless to say, the progression was far slower than I had hoped. I had a few opportunities here and there, but nothing that really gave me a legitimate shot at performing at the top level.”

“This deal with Wells and Sons Motorsports offers me everything that I could ever dream of. From having the opportunity to continue to compete in major Modified events to allowing me to enter the biggest Super Late Model events I’ve got it all with their team.”

“This is truly a dream scenario,” Strickler said. “Getting to finally enter events like the Dirt Late Model Dream, World 100 and Dirt Track World Championship has me so excited.”

“I’m going to hit as many Super Late Model events as possible, but I’ll still be running a lot of high-profile Modified races. It’s going to be a hit-and-miss schedule. Each week I’ll be racing wherever makes the most sense for Wells and Sons Motorsports’ business goals.”

“I feel like I’ve got a good feel on the handle of a Super Late Model, but knowing which adjustments need to be made is going to be a new challenge,” Strickler noted.

“In the Modified I know exactly what needs to be done at any time, but in the Super Late Model it obviously needs different tweaks. The tires in themselves are a totally different game. However, with the expertise of the Wells’ family I know I can learn fairly quick,” Strikler concluded.

Wells Motorsports

Eric Wells is now looking to expand their operation. The team is seeking crew members to work at the shop and prepare the cars in addition to a road crew.

“With the way things are growing with both the business and the race team, we are actively pursuing new staff,” Eric Wells commented. “We need guys here in the shop as well as on the road with the race team.”

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the team at [email protected] or by phone at 606-233-2485.

Links

Eric Wells | Wells and Sons Motorsports | Kyle Strickler

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