Derrik Ortega is 19 years old and resides in Albuquerque New Mexico with his parents, Manny and Annette. He is a sophomore at the University of New Mexico, pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. When Derrik is not racing or working on his race car, he enjoys spending time with his friends. He spends any extra time at the quarter midget track assisting with flagging the races or announcing and coaching some of the novice drivers. He is a great role model to the younger kids with his calm demeanor and emphasis on sportsmanship.
He has a strong family background in racing and attended his first race on April 14, 1991 at 2 days of age. His father, Manny Ortega, has been involved with racing as both a driver and crew member since the age of 16. His mother, Annette, grew up around racing as her father Bill Shaver and brother Troy were dirt track competitors.
He began his racing career at the age of 8 in quarter midgets on the asphalt at Valley of the Sun QMA in Phoenix, Arizona in December 1999 as a novice. He has numerous fast times as well as feature wins and still holds local track records with the Roadrunner Quarter Midget Association. He was also a National Quarter Midget Champion in 2002.
He has amassed 85 main event wins during his racing career and has raced at tracks in California, Nevada, South Dakota, Colorado, Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arizona, Wyoming, Arkansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa and New Mexico. He has won main events in 10 different states and has raced at almost 50 different race tracks.
Derrik has a true passion for motor sports and would like to make a career in this field.
