User blog:Ajaxcupseries/Tony Del Valle II: Born and Bred to be an ASCA Superstar

The Fallon Corner - April 2024

I’m sure you’ve probably heard the name Tony Del Valle II a few times over the course of the 2024 season so far before he prepares to make his highly anticipated ASCA debut in the 11th Annual TreatMyPC.com 150, and you’ve probably thought to yourself - who is this kid?

Del Valle II is a driver that’s been on ASCA team owner’s radars since he turned 10 back in January 2017, was signed by Michael White Racing as a 15 YEAR OLD in 2022 (which is unheard of), included in the 2023 ASCA Next Class at the age of 16, and at the ripe old age of 17 is now old enough to compete in the big leagues.

Many pundits and team owners alike have called him a ‘generational talent’, a driver with ‘more potential than Laquon Scransen’, and his own boss Michael White has given him the moniker ‘baby Randle Woods’.

The expectations the teenager has to live up to are SKY HIGH - but how did they get this way in the first place?

Meet Anthony Del Valle; aka Tony Del Valle I, the father of who he believes will take over the ASCA in due time.

Anthony bought his son a steering wheel for Christmas at just the age of THREE…..and the rest as they say, is history.

Del Valle II had FAR from what you would consider a normal childhood. While many children spend their pre teen years going to public schools and playing with friends, the Upper Montclair native spent his formative years traveling cross country with his father to further his racing career.

At just the age of five, he was already racing quarter midgets. At nine years old, it was late models. At the age of 11, his family uprooted from New Jersey to move to the ASCA’s epicenter in Michigan with the hopes that team owners would finally take notice of his talents.

Del Valle I would spend his weekdays spamming emails to ASCA team owners of his son’s highlight reels at the lower levels, and his weekends at the track with his son. Every single day, the two would either be racing or training, with days off being few and far between.

Eventually, all that hard work and dedication would FINALLY pay off when one day in August 2021, Anthony received a call from an unknown number.

It turned out to be Ajax Cup championship winning team owner Michael White.

''“When I picked up the phone and heard who’s voice it was, my heart began racing. I knew that all the effort that myself and Tony put into this whole deal was finally starting to pay off.”'' Anthony remarked.

Michael brought the then 14 year old Del Valle II in for a shop tour plus an audition in one of his late models - and once he saw the wunderkind in action, he was hooked.

“I have NEVER in my life seen a kid so effortlessly, so flawlessly, and so precisely wheel a stock car before Tony.” White lamented.

''“There’s Ajax Cup drivers that couldn’t do the things that he (Del Valle II) could at 14. I knew the moment I saw that, we had to get him on a developmental contract because it was only a matter of time before someone else snatched him up.”''

White made waves across the sport signing Del Valle II to said contract at just the age of 15, but since then the hype train for the young talent has only steadily increased.

Two time Ajax Cup champion Jimmy Hood believes the New Jersey born teenager is the “greatest thing he’s seen since sliced bread.”

''“Its incredibly hard to evaluate talent in this business, but I think everyone knows a future superstar when they see one, and that’s exactly what Tony is. The kid is the greatest thing I’ve seen since sliced bread, easily the most qualified prospect that’s entered the sport to date.”''

While scouts have neglected to give Del Valle II the coveted five star prospect rating reserved for drivers that have proven they have the wins to back up the pundits’ projections, the 17 year old is the highest rated four star prospect in history and will very likely receive the extra star once his four Craftsman Series starts this season are complete.

Many have criticized his father Anthony Del Valle for his ‘overbearing’ parenting, with some even referring to it as ‘child abuse’ due to his boisterous nature in the media claiming that his son will be the ‘greatest ASCA driver of all time’, but Del Valle shrugs it off as “jealousy” from his detractors and nothing more.

''“Look, here’s the sad truth: a lot of people WISH they had a son half as successful as mine. Its just pure jealousy on their part honestly - like I can’t be proud of my own kid? Really?”'' the 47 year old lamented to us.

''“While their little crumb snatcher racks up thousands in student loan debt to become a professional activist after graduating college, mine will be schooling the best of the best at the top of the ASCA ranks. That’s the bottom line for anyone who disproves of my methods: its none of your damn business.”''

The last time the sport saw this much hype behind a prospect was at the start of the decade with Devin Smith; who also just so happened to be signed by Michael White Racing prior to racing at the Cup level.

Smith put up only 15 top 10’s in 48 starts with the team from 2021-23, and did not have his contract renewed by the organization following last season, as the 25 year old is currently on a one year deal with Tico Bowden Motorsports.

However, Michael White believes this time will be much different.

''“We learned a lot from where we failed with Devin (Smith) for sure. Certainly plenty of things we all could’ve done differently to support each other better, and with Tony (Del Valle II) I’m confident we won’t make those mistakes again.”''

Be sure to tune into Tony Del Valle II’s much anticipated debut behind the wheel of the No. 54 Starbust Duos Toyota Supra in April 24th’s TreatMyPC.com 150 at noon EST.