As he pulled into Victory Lane, Tony Gualda was in disbelief.
Moments later, Gualda was experiencing an overflow of unmitigated joy and euphoria. The 14-year-old Hollister native had just won his first race in a non-wing sprint car at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville on May 2.
“I climbed out of my car, stood on the cage in front of the fans and got riled up,” he said. “This is probably the biggest win and most memorable of my career so far. I was just overwhelmed and astonished I was able to do it in my second race.”
Gualda was referring to the fact that he was racing in a non-wing sprint car for just the second time in his promising career, having gone from dirt karts to micro sprints, which typically weigh around 700 pounds with 80 horsepower.
Non-wing sprint cars are powered by a 500-horsepower engine, but it’s not the uptick in power that presents Gualda’s biggest challenge—it’s driving a car without a wing, which helps stabilize a car and gives it more traction around a track.
Gualda, who will be a freshman at San Benito High in September, has made the step up in racing a smooth one so far. Competing against a field of 11 other drivers ranging in age from 18 to 24, Gualda won the 20-lap race after taking control on lap No. 15, when he passed the leader after finding his preferred line.
It’s Gualda’s instincts to find the fast line on a track along with the ability to relay pertinent information to his crew chief on how the car is handling that’s been key in his rapid-fire success.
“As a driver, you have to be able to read the track and know what the track is doing so you can talk to your crew to get the most out of your car,” Gualda said.
The 5-foot-4, 121-pound Gualda has been told that he “Acts more like a 30-year-old business man than a 14-year-old teenager,” and that’s only appropriate considering Gualda has already been racing for eight years.
In comparison, Gualda’s friends won’t even be able to get their drivers’ license for another two years.
Ever since Gualda started racing at 6, his parents, Tony Sr. and Joanne, have supported him. The two formed Tony Gualda Motorsports, giving their son a competitive race car.
“That’s what makes racing even better, that I’m able to do this with family,” Gualda said. “My dad has been great, and I’ve got the best mom in the world. Racing is a family sport in my book, and we’re a happy family. Even if I get a ride with a (professional) team one day, I’ll always remember that I couldn’t have done it without my family.”
Indeed, Tony Sr. has been a steadying influence in his son’s life, serving as a role model and guide. Although he never raced, the elder Gualda said he worked on race cars and pit crews growing up. Gualda Sr. maintains the car and makes sure it gets to the track on time.
He also credited a number of people who have been instrumental in the family’s race team operation, including crew chief Harold Kunsman and Doug Snyder, who is the team’s major sponsor. Although the elder Gualda spotted his son’s special talent at an early age, even he was pleasantly surprised when his son got to Victory Lane in just his second race in the more powerful sprint car.
“We would’ve been happy with a top five, but Tony was racing like a veteran out there,” Gualda Sr. said. “It’s astonishing, almost indescribable, to see how well he raced.
The younger Gualda—he prefers not to be called Junior—displayed some serious talent at age 6 while racing a go-kart. In a conversation with his dad, Gualda said he could actually tell if a car was attempting to pass on the inside lane because he could hear the car coming.
If a driver was trying to pass him on the outside, Gualda said he could see the shadows of the car approaching.
“That right there,” Gualda Sr. said, “was one of the moments when I knew he was going to be a race car driver.”
Gualda has made good on all the hype and promise surrounding him, keeping a level head while continuing to work hard. Although Gualda has always dreamed of racing in the World of Outlaw Sprint Car Series–the nation’s premier dirt sprint car racing series—he’s open to other series as well.
If things go really well, Gualda would love to have a shot at one day driving in NASCAR. Gualda’s immediate goal is to win Rookie of the Year honors at Ocean Speedway. In a year or two, Gualda Sr. said he would like to see his son drive in a 360 wing car, which would eventually set him up for a run in the World of Outlaw Series.
A number of NASCAR’s top drivers started their careers on dirt tracks, and Gualda hopes his career will follow the same pattern. No matter what happens, the Gualdas are enjoying every second they’re on the track together.
Before the start of every race, Gualda Sr. makes sure his son is buckled in safely before giving him a quick scouting report on the track conditions. Then, like any loving father, he’ll offer his son a couple of words of encouragement: “I love you, be safe and go fast.”
And so he will.
