Rylee “Curlz” Wells in the DragChamp Jr. Spotlight

October 21, 2021

This week’s DragChamp Jr. Racer Spotlight is all about Mississippi Junior Dragster competitor, Rylee Wells.

BRANDON, MS- Rylee “Curlz” Wells has been racing for the past 8 years. She was introduced to the sport by her Grandfather and Dad who both race. Rylee competes in the 13-17 year old Junior Dragster classes and races at numerous classes including Gulfport Dragway, Holly Springs Motorsports, Emerald Coast Dragway, Capital City Motorsports Park and many more. She races alongside her sisters, Reagan and Rori in the Junior Dragster classes as well.

Some of her racing accomplishments include 2021 & 2022 13-17 year old Gulfport Dragway IHRA Champion, King of the Coast Tournament of Champions winner, and being in the top 5 in points for the past 6 years at the King of Coast series.

Follow Rylee’s family motorsports Facebook page, Wells Motorsports.

Her Junior Dragster

Her current Junior Dragster is a Mike Bos chassis with a 3 3/4 ZR4 motor on board. The fastest she has been in her car is a 7.78. They have had this set up for about 8 months now.

Outside of Racing

When Rylee isn’t tearing it up at the drag strip, she can be found watching old races on Motormania TV, working on her car, playing tennis and golf. Her favorite music artist is Carrie Underwood and she likes to spend time on Instagram. She enjoys watching college football and cheering on her Mississippi State football team- Hail State Baby! One thing people don’t know about her is that she can juggle and solve a Rubik’s cube really fast. Rylee is also a Junior in high school and excels in Math and Science.

Rylee’s Accomplishments

2020 13-17 Gulfport Dragway IHRA Champion
2021 13-17 Gulfport Dragway IHRA Champion
Back to School Winner
Back to School 3 Runner-ups
Memphis IHRA Runner-up and Winner
Tournament of Champions Winner in KOC
Won 2 races in one day at a Gulfport Summit Super Series race
Winner & runner-up in KOC winter warmup in Holt, FL
Semis of Spooktacular 10 Grander
Winning at Montgomery after 3 motor changes that day!
Top 5 in Points for the last 6 years at KOC
3 Time 5Ft Trophy Winner at KOC
Wally winner

Rylee’s Q&A

What’s on your bucket list, future goals, what do you hope to achieve?

I want to go to the IHRA World Finals and win ECF, before I get out of juniors

What is your favorite race car, and why?

Top fuel dragster especially Leah Pruett and Clay Millican

Who has made the biggest impact on your racing success?

My dad and grandfather

Who do you look up to in the sport?

My dad, grandad, Leah Pruett, and Clay Millican

How do you support your racing, side hustle, sponsor, partner, etc.?

My mom who is a realtor sponsors our whole team and I am on the FTI Farmteam as well. But if anyone else wants to step up and throw some money at this dream, I’m game 

Who do you hate to see in the other lane, and why?

No one really. I just try to race my race and do what I know to do. I don’t take anyone lightly.

What’s the hardest part of drag racing?

Hearing my mom complain about Redlights

What’s your most embarrassing moment in a race car?

Shutting the car off instead of pulling the parachute

What are you saying to yourself just before you stage the car?

Don’t suck Don’t suck Don’t suck (really its written on my seat cushion lol)

What do you enjoy the most at the racetrack?

The big checks and friendships. I have met people from multiple states through racing and some of my best friends are track friends.

Are you superstitious? If so, what are they?

Yes. Don’t eat between rounds and don’t carry a fifty dollar bill. If I sit on one side of the golf cart I have to sit there until I’m out. If my mom puts my belt on 1^st round she has to the rest of the day, stuff like that.

Do you love to win or hate to lose?

Hate to lose! Especially when I know I could have done better.

Which are you better at the starting line or the finish line?

Finish line

What motivates you to continue racing?

The drive to be better, do better, just be the best that I can be.

If money were no object, what would your racing operation look like? Car, trailer, class, race schedule, etc.

I would have a toter home with a stacker trailer with a door car to footbrake and a dragster. And I would be able to race whenever I want.

How often do you use a practice tree?

A few days out of the week (I have practice tree alarms set on my phone)

What is your daily driver?

2012 Dodge Durango

Favorite movie or TV show?

The Blind Side

Would you rather hang out with a crowd or have a quiet evening at home?

Hang out with a crowd, especially my family

What’s your favorite thing to eat? Individual item, meal, or restaurant?

ICECREAM!

Who would you like to thank, who helps you the most?

First of all God for letting me race, my mom and dad who take me racing and put up with me, my grandparents for supporting me, and my opponents for making me better.

What is a piece of advice you’d give to an aspiring racer?

Don’t worry about who is in the other lane, you do you. Stay Humble