Picture at Spoon River Speedway

 Derrik Ortega

#35

Derrik Ortega drives the #35 ASCS RM Class car.  His home track is Roadrunner Quarter Midgets but he has also raced at 38 different track in the past 9 years.  He lives in Albuquerque, NM.

Team members helping Derrik are:  Manny & Annette Ortega, Cody Mansfield, John Stroud, The Hodges family, the Herrera Family, Kenny Brewer.  Ortega Race Team is the car owner.

Derrik started racing in 1999 in the Quarter Midgets Class because he grew up around dirt tracks.  His first win was in '99 in the Junior Novice Class at Valley of the Sun Quarter Midgets.  Career highlights include 2002 Senior Honda Grand National Champion, Multiple track and division Championships and multiple Fast times, '05 NM Modified Midget Rookie of the Year, '06 NM Modified Midget Champion.

The thrill of racing for Derrik is the speed.  His most exciting racing moment was finishing 2nd in the A Main at the Gasoline Alley Nationals at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after starting last in the E-Mains and transferring all the way to the A_Main.  He's most proud of winning the Grands to be the National Senior Honda Champion and attending a USAC awards banquet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Derrik's racing heroes are Steve Kinser and Johnny Herrera.

Of racing, Derrik says, "It is not as easy as it looks.  It takes a lot of work and dedication.

Derrick's favorite racing websites are  www.hoseheads.com and www.LuvRacin.com