FAMILY TRADITION, friendships, and a dream to win make up the heart of Wild & Sunny Racing.
The youth quarter midget race team, made up of two brothers, is driven by horsepower, heart, and hustle. They are part of the NASCAR Youth Series, so these boys are considered NASCAR drivers. It all began when Wyatt, now 14, was just 5 years old and received his first quarter midget race car from his grandfather, Jeff Rainey.
“I started racing when I was 5, and I was kind of born with the passion to go fast,” Wyatt said. “My grandfather was into racing, and he’s kind of the one who led me into it. He was a big help in getting me to where I am now.”
To the casual observer, quarter midget racing might look like karting, but Wyatt explained the difference.
“They look like go-karts, but technically they’re race cars. They have motorcycle motors — Honda 120s, 160s, Animal motors, and World Formula motors, and they teach you the basics of racing.”
Many young drivers dream of driving professionally as adults, and this is a great place for them to get their start, Wyatt said.
Today, Wyatt is a seasoned driver with three championships to his name. He’s known for his smooth and smart driving.
“I really like racing because it’s fun and you always get to learn something new,” he said.
Wyatt looks up to NASCAR driver Clay Greenfield, who has offered guidance throughout his time racing. He said rally legend Ken Block also inspires him.
But racing success doesn’t come easy. Wyatt made sure to thank his fans, sponsors, and partners, which include TruTorque Diesel, Jesse Stutts Inc., Bullrider Racecars, Krybaby Performance, Sound Source Productions Inc.,47 Fab, Raptor Motors, Ernie Tuck, Scott Caldwell, and Jeff Rainey.
“A bunch of work goes into those cars, and if I didn’t have my sponsors and people who worked on them, then I wouldn’t be where I’m at now,” he said.
Wyatt’s race days start early and run long.
“You wake up early, drive about an hour or two to the track, and, from start to finish, you’re constantly checking maintenance, changing tires, and adding gas. And then you’ve got to go out there and run the car as hard as you can,” he said.
Despite the stress and competition, Wyatt maintains a strong sense of sportsmanship and was nominated for his club’s Music City Sportsmanship Award one year.
“Clean passing, not wrecking people on purpose, not trash-talking — those are good ways to show sportsmanship,” he said. “I always try to say good luck before a race and good job after. It sounds small, but it really matters.”
Wyatt’s favorite part of race day is hanging out with the younger drivers who are just starting.
“I always like playing football or something with them,” he said.
Drivers can start at the age of 5, so many young drivers look up to him.
When talking of his own heavier class, he said, “On the track, we might be competitors, but as soon as we’re out of the cars, we’re best friends.”
That competitive mentorship spirit extends to his younger brother, Amos, who is 9 and already making a name for himself.
When asked about his favorite drivers, Amos excitedly said, “Ken Block… and after him, definitely my big brother, Wyatt.”
Amos began racing at 6 years old after being encouraged by his grandfather.
“They’re basically miniature versions of real cars,” he said. “They’ve got motors, pedals, suspension, and they’re just really fun. When I went to the Dixie, I finished second. That was a really good day.”
The Dixie Shootout is a series of regional races where drivers from various states come to compete. There are also national events in which drivers can be involved, which can bring more than 600 cars to any event.
Like his older brother, Amos has also learned to overcome fear, especially fear of crashing.
“I was scared of hitting the wall,” he said, “but these cars are built for that. They’re safe.”
He credits hard work and practice for his multiple top-three finishes and is already setting ambitious goals.
“My biggest goal for this year is to get more trophies than my brother,” Amos said. “But the hardest and best thing about racing [is] winning. Everyone’s really competitive.”
Off the track, both boys are regular kids. Wyatt enjoys music and working on the farm, while Amos likes playing video games and dreaming up creative car designs.
“If I could design my car, it’d be a spaceship with Bible verses on the side of it,” Amos said. “Mostly black with blue in the background with stars and planets all over.”
Their team name, Wild & Sunny Racing, has roots in their early family days.
“We had a farm and my nickname was ‘Wild Man Wyatt,’” Wyatt said. “When I was young, I called my little sister ‘Sunny,’ so we called it Wild & Sunny Farms. When I got into racing, the name stuck.”
Family is always at the core of their operation. Their sisters, Bowie and Jovie, support them from the sidelines. Bowie helps with social media, live streams races, and stocks snacks while Jovie plays with other racing siblings and cheers on all the drivers.
“There’s never a dull moment,” Wyatt said. “No one has a specific job, but if you’re sitting down, someone will probably need your help.”
Different tracks require different setups and strategies, so key figures like the late Ernie Tuck, Scott Caldwell, and Jeff Rainey provide the technical brainpower behind the cars.
“They’re the ones making the changes and keeping us running,” Wyatt said. “I help a little, but they do the real work.”
Wyatt can be found pushing off cars, lifting cars, and making mechanical adjustments on his and his brother’s cars.
The closest track is Music City, located in Hermitage, which is where the boys got their start. This season, they chose to race at the Huntsville Quarter Midget Track to be closer to Ernie Tuck, a family friend and the boys’ sponsor and mentor. Between the time these interviews were conducted and the publication of this article, Mr. Ernie passed away on Aug. 9.
In a moment that now feels like fate, that very day Wyatt brought home the checkered flag in one of the cars Ernie had built for him — a final victory shared between a driver and the mentor who believed in him.
His loss is deeply felt — not just by Wild & Sunny Racing but the entire quarter midget community. To the boys, every lap they turn and every victory they celebrate will carry a piece of his guidance, his craftsmanship, and his unwavering belief in them.
Ernie had been facing major health issues and wanted to spend as much time as possible giving back to young, talented drivers.
“He wanted to spend all of his time pouring into us,” Wyatt said. “So we made the move to Huntsville this season just for him.”
Amos agreed.
“Mr. Ernie is someone I want to thank. And Wyatt. And Papa Jeff.”
While both brothers are driven by goals for the future, they’re also driven by gratitude.
Wyatt’s advice to new racers is to be patient and don’t give up.
“You’re not going to win right away, but that’s okay. Just have fun,” he said.
Amos keeps it simple.
“It’s fun. You don’t need to win all the time. Just get out there and have fun.” GN
Follow their journey: @wildandsunnyracing on TikTok and Facebook
