Erica Ann Ortiz, Driver/Tuning

::Vital Stats::
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 118 lbs.
DOB: 03.27.80
Ethnicity: Hispanic-- Puerto Rican/Cuban
Birthplace: Orlando, FL
Residence: Grant, AL
Education--Currently finishing Bachelor's Degree Marketing at Troy State Univ.
Occupation-- Marketing Consultant-- Advertising Executive

::Favorites::
Hobbies: drag Racing, Volleyball, Photography, Writing:
Color- Black
Food- Italian
Music Genre- Rock
Music Artist- 3 Doors Down
Song- 'Hotel California', the Eagles
Television Program- Sex & the City (yes, reruns)
Movie- 'Sweet Home Alabama'
Actor- Will Smith, George Clooney, Josh Lucas
Actress- Salma Hayek, Demi Moore, Reese Witherspoon
Author- Clive Cussler
Driver- Larry Dixon, John Force, Warren Johnson

Quote- You see things; and you say "Why?" But I dream things that never were; and I say "Why not?". -George Bernard Shaw

::Most Embarrassing Moment::
"At the season opener in 2001, my crew chief started pushing my car forward in the staging lanes, running over and breaking my left foot as I tried to climb out of my car. " Erica recalls. "I didn't go to the hospital until Monday, so I could finish the race."

Debbie Lauder-Denny: Crew

::Vital Stats::
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 122 lbs.
DOB: 02.22.69
Ethnicity: American   
Birthplace: Miami, FL
Residence: Jacksonville, FL
Offspring: 1 son, 14 years and step son 6 years
Pets: 2 Cats, Lexi (street cat) Cash, Maine Coon 17 lbs.!
Education: AA general
Occupation: Marketing Consultant/ Event Promoter / Flashpoint Marketing

::Current Racing Series::
Fun Ford Weekend -- Pro 5.0 Class
Dixie Pro Mod Association -- Pro Modified
Automatic Pro Mod Association -- Pro Modified
American Drag Racing League -- Pro Nitrous
NOPI/NDRA

Hobbies:Drag Racing, Drawing, Writing, Pool, Philosophy

::Favorites::
Color: Red
Food: LOBSTER Seafood, and Italian. Mexican too. Of course Cuban food as well. And, um.  How about pretty much everything!
Music Genre: Hip Hop and Reggae.  Some rock and classic rock
Music Artist: Jay Z, Ludakris, Gwen Stefani, Cristina Aguilera, Bob Marley, Jr. Reed
Song- Money Ain't a Thing, Get up Stand up, Too many to mention.
Television Program- Grey's Anatomy, Boston Legal, ESPN2
Movie- Pulp Fiction
Actor- Will Smith, Al Pacino, Adam Sandler, THE ROCK. (he's cute!)
Actress- Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie
Author- Don't really have one favorite.
Driver- Drag Racing - Larry Dixon, Ashley Force, Antron Brown, (Pro Stock Bikes) Castroneves, Franchitti (road racing)

Favorite Quotes-  

"A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool."--William Shakespeare

"If you want to win anything - a race, your self, your life - you have to go a little berserk."--William Shakespeare

"When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking."--Albert Einstein

"Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it."--Salvador Dali

::Most Embarrassing Moment::
"Where do I begin  I have too many to mention.  I guess the most recent was at WFC in Indy this year.  The Pro Class was running and I was on the starting line watching and the driver made a single pass.  That means there was no one racing next to him.  He got loose around the 1000 foot mark and crossed the center line.  As everyone was standing around in kind of a moment of confusion, I stated that he is out!  He crossed the centerline and the NHRA rules state that as a disqualification.  END OF STORY!!!   I said.  No question about it, I argued.  We called the NHRA and double checked and come to find out it is only a disqualification if it is a competition bye run.  The difference being that a competition bye is when the car that you are paired up with for that particular run is broken and can not make the pass.  Then the rule states if you cross the centerline it is considered the same as if the car was in that lane.  SO, long story short.  I was dead wrong!    To my defense several people who have been racing and are crew chiefs on some pretty well know race teams thought the same as I did.  So there were a few of us that were taken by surprise when the NHRA told us that is not the case.   So, when the news came back from the tower that he is not OUT!  There were about 15 people standing on the starting line looking at me like I was an idiot.   Because of course I was the one with the biggest mouth.  Lesson learned.  No matter how certain you are You may just make an ass out of yourself when you least expect it!  

The Rest of the Crew

Nicole Zimmerman

Melanie Ortiz
Lauren Ortiz
Christina Ortiz