The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is gearing up to head to North Wilkesboro Speedway, with 35 trucks ready to do battle at the historic 0.625-mile racetrack in the hills of Wilkes County.
One of those drivers was supposed to be AJ Waller, who was due to drive the No. 2 for Reaume Brothers Racing, alongside teammates Derek White in the No. 22 and full-timer Frankie Muniz in the No. 33.
However, that will no longer be happening.
Alan and Marian Waller, as well as their daughter Carrie Stone — Waller’s grandparents and aunt — were tragically killed in a car accident on Mother’s Day (May 11). Waller will step out of the seat this weekend. White will move over to drive the No. 2, while Tyler Tomassi will take over the No. 22 as Waller’s de facto replacement at North Wilkesboro.
“Tyler Tomassi will pilot the No. 22 Badass Workbench F-150 this weekend,” RBR said in a team release. “It is with a heavy heart that he steps into the seat in relief of AJ Waller, whose grandparents and aunt were tragically killed in a crash on Mother’s Day in Alabama.”
”I want to extend my thoughts to AJ’s entire family after such an incredible loss,” Tomassi added. “While I’m excited to get behind the wheel I know I will be racing for more than RBR and myself this weekend.”
Condolences go out to the entire Waller family as they deal with a tragic and unthinkable situation.
The 21-year-old has been through more than any 21-year-old should have to go through. A racer since the age of 4, Waller faced his first major bout of adversity at the age of 15 when he was diagnosed with cancer. Not just any form of cancer, either — doctors diagnosed him with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
After months of chemotherapy, he returned to the racetrack in 2022 full-time.
“I didn’t let it stop me,” Waller told Citrus County Chronicle. “I tried to do everything normal, that I would normally do. But I couldn’t get really dirty because of the treatments and my immune system was really bad because of it.
”For the most part I tried to do everything as normal as possible, didn’t let it slow me down.”
Three years later, in 2025. Waller got to test an ARCA Menards Series car at Daytona International Speedway in January, driving the No. 73 for KLAS Motorsports — a car normally driven by KLAS co-owner Andy Jankowiak.
”I told my crew chief and I told my dad, that was the coolest thing I’ve ever done,” Waller told CCC. “It was the coolest opportunity ever to be able to drive at Daytona.”
Eventually, it was announced that Waller would get his chance in a truck with RBR, driving the No. 22 at Martinsville Speedway.
”I’ve fought for this moment both on and off the track, and I couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity with Reaume Brothers Racing,” Waller said. “Martinsville is a track full of history, and I’m ready to make the most of this incredible opportunity.”
Waller qualified 28th, the best of RBR’s three trucks. However, another health issue befell Waller, and he couldn’t finish the race. During stage two, Waller began to feel overheated and pulled his truck behind the wall and went to the infield care center.
Team owner Josh Reaume, not wanting the truck to record a DNF, hopped in the truck himself and finished the race.
As much as it stinks to not be able to finish your debut race, Waller should be commended for recognizing that his health comes first. He could have pushed through like some do, but his health would likely only continue to deteriorate and would be much worse for wear after the race. Good on him for recognizing he couldn’t carry on.
Waller later told Toby Christie after the race that he only had a helmet blower and not a cool suit, which he felt might have contributed to getting too hot.
At the time, Waller had only been confirmed for Martinsville, but had hinted at maybe trying to run North Wilkesboro to Christie. That hope became reality when Waller showed up on the entry list this week for the Window World 250.
Unfortunately, Waller will not get to compete after voluntarily stepping out of the truck to head for Alabama to mourn the loss of three of his family members — and rightfully so.
In the team release, RBR says it will “pay tribute” to Waller’s three fallen family members. Hopefully, it means they will ride on the name rail of Tomassi’s No. 22 and/or a remembrance decal will be placed on Tomassi’s truck.
Hopefully RBR can give Waller another shot in one of its trucks this season, so he has a proper chance to complete a full race, as he’s 0-for-2 due to situations completely out of his control. This young man has the heart of a warrior and he will no doubt want to return to the racetrack and race his heart out for an entire Truck Series event in honor of his grandparents and aunt.
In the meantime, continued thoughts and prayers go out to Waller and his entire family as they navigate through a difficult time.
The racing absolutely can wait.