When it comes to football, Katy’s always been on the map.

A former Paetow High School Junior Varsity football player is hoping that people associate the city with another sport – stock car racing.

J.P. Vallarta, 16, faced a tough decision last season when he decided to transfer from Paetow to the Texas Tech University K-12 online high school program where he’s currently an 11th grader.

He’d miss out on the Friday Night Lights, pep rallies and lunch with friends and teammates.

But Vallarta has his eyes on the big picture, specifically reaching one of NASCAR’s top two series by 2028, thus before he begins his 20s.

“I have the work ethic to get there and a really good team behind me,” Vallarta said. “It’s not just me in that car. There are between 40 and 50 people who help me. I want to make everybody in the racing world know about Katy.”

Vallarta has lived in Katy since he was seven years old. He attended Catherine Bethke Elementary and Stockdick Junior High before Paetow.

“Living in Katy has been nothing but sunshine and rainbows,” Vallarta said.

On September 6, Vallarta will debut in the South Atlantic Pro Series (SAPS), a late model pro racing circuit which will take him to medium-sized cities in the southeast such as Kingsport, Tennessee, Hickory, North Carolina and Pensacola, Florida.

“I’m excited for it,” Vallarta said. “We are granted 100 more horsepower. I’m excited to try that puppy out and see how she runs.”

Vallarta’s goal is to enjoy enough success on the SAPS Tour that he advances to ARCA --- the top feeder to NASCAR – by next season.

Vallarta and his family drive long distances to these racetracks, and his Chevrolet Camaro is based in North Carolina. The car is hauled to the racetrack.

Vallarta plans to work on a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech as he advances in his racing career.

Beyond representing Katy and the Greater Houston area, Vallarta is also representing the Mexican-American and Jewish communities.

“I might be the only Mexican American Jewish person who does NASCAR,” Vallarta said.

Vallarta’s best finish thus far has been third place in a late model race in Hickory.

“Hickory is a really legendary track where the slogan is ‘where the future NASCAR stars are made’,” Vallarta said.

Vallarta first became interested in racing five years ago when his uncle bought a racing simulator and connected it to an Xbox. His parents, Ari and Sarai, then brought him to a Go Kart track, where he’d eventually earn a series championship. “I always want to be better than I was the day before,” Vallarta said.