About – Joe Valento Racing

JOE VALENTO

BIOGRAPHY

Joe Valento is a 16-year-old racer from Scandia MN. Joe started racing at the age of 8 years old where he competed in the Quarter Midget Association (QMA) series starting in 2013 and then added the USAC Quarter Midget Series in 2016. From the very beginning, the focus was not on winning local championships but to visit a variety of different tracks across the country and compete against the best drivers in the country during this developmental time in Joe’s racing career. In 2017 Joe was selected to be part of the 2018 Race Face NEXT Program as one of the top up and coming young racers in the country. The NEXT Class not only recognizes young drivers with remarkable driving skills but also drivers with the passion to learn what it takes to be successful off the track. In 2019 Joe drove for KBR Performance and finished his season with 4 top 5 finishes, 4th in points, and was the Midwest Truck Series Rookie of the Year. In 2020 Joe returned to the Midwest Truck Series with KBR Performance. Joe finished the season with 2 wins, 5 top 5s and 9 top 10s in 9 starts and he finished 3rd in Championship Points.

In 2021 Joe signed with David Gilliland Racing to compete in the Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour for the full season.

AGE: 16

RESIDES: Scandia, MN

SERIES

Solid Rock CARS Tour

JOIN JOE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

ACHIEVEMENTS

2020

2 wins, 6 top fives and 9 top tens in 9 starts
3rd in Championship Points-Midwest Truck Series
Competed in the World Series of Asphalt at New
Smyrna Beach Speedway
8th place finish Pro-Late Model Hickory Motor
Speedway

2019

First year racing in the Midwest Truck Series
2 Fast Qualifier Award
3 -1st Place Wins in Heat Races
4 top 5 finishes in 9 starts
7 top 10 finishes in 9 starts
Midwest Truck Series Rookie of the Year
Fourth place finish in Points

2018

Micro-Sprints at the top tracks throughout the country
INEX Legend Cars with Tim Brockhouse and Great North Legends
Signed with Race Face Brand Development
Testing for the Midwest Truck Series
Career Consulting with Ranier Racing Development

2017

2017 Vegas Winter Nationals 3 Race Wins
3 Pole Awards
Winter Nationals Championship 4th in Heavy
Animal, 3rd Heavy World Formula
Signed with Justin Posey Development for the
2017 Season

2016

Ran 3 cars on the National USAC .25 Midget Series
USAC Fall Nationals Champion, Senior Animal
Multiple USAC Heat and A-Main wins
Multiple USAC Pole Awards and Track Fast Times

2015

Elko Speedway 2nd in Senior Honda & 3rd in
Senior Animal
Cedar Lake Indoor Championships Light 160
and Light World Formula
30 feature wins at Cedar Lake
13 feature wins at Little Elko Speedway

2014

Cedar Lake Speedway Light 160 Dirt
Championship
Elko Speedway Championship Senior Honda
3rd Place
Elko Speedway Championship Senior Animal
3rd Place
Added a second car

2013

First year in a .25 Midget
First, win on the dirt
First Pavement win and Fast Time Novice Class

JOE'S RACING FAMILY

David Gilliland Racing (DGR) is a multi-vehicle race team that competes nationally in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (CWTS) and ARCA Menards Series (AMS). Founded by retired NASCAR Cup Series race-winning driver David Gilliland in 2017, DGR competed in the NASCAR K&N East Series (now ARCA Menards Series East) and the CARS Late Model tour. In it’s inaugural K&N East Series season, DGR earned eight top-10 finishes and four pole awards.

In 2018, DGR went on to win it’s first drivers and owners championships after winning seven total races in the NASCAR K&N East Series. DGR broke through in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2019 with it’s first team victory at Kentucky Speedway.

DGR won two ARCA Menards Series events in 2019, as well as one CARS Tour race.

In total, the organization has earned 18 total wins and more than 60 top-five finishes across multiple series.