4/22/2014
Cottage Grove Speedway
Getting Up To Speed With…Tyler Anderson
Getting Up To Speed With…Tyler Anderson
By Ben Deatherage
Although he’s been in a Sprint Car for around three years Tyler Anderson is no rookie driver. At eighteen years old he has managed to be behind the wheel of a race car for thirteen of those years of his life. Starting out in the Rotax Karts when he was five he would win four championships before going on to three Shifter Kart titles. In 2008 Anderson would win the Deming Speedway 600cc track championship and also is the current track record holder at that facility. Anderson also has a Midget championship to his credit at Salem Indoor Speedway during the winter of 2010-11.
Following in the footsteps of his father Gary, who raced Pavement Late Models and even competed on the old Northwest Tour, Tyler Anderson hopes to someday race full-time with the World of Outlaws and if the opportunity comes along run NASCAR. We got a chance to talk to the Mariner High School senior about his plans in 2014, how he got his start in racing, and why he races the #24. Now let’s get up to speed with Tyler Anderson.
Driver: Tyler Anderson
Hometown: Everett, Washington
Occupation: Student at Mariner High School/Vinyl Graphic Artist
Age: 18
Years Racing: 13
Classification: 360 Sprint/USAC Focus Midget
Team: Anderson Racing Enterprises/Havlick Motorsports
Car: 24/66
Chassis: XXX Race Co./XXX Race Co.
Sponsors: K-1 Race Gear, Custom Sprint Car Supplies, XXX Race Co., Pacific Performance Coatings, King Racing Products, BR Motorsports, Speedmart Inc., Kompact Kar Korner, Shark Racing Engines, A-to-Z Transmission and Clutch, Deyong Inc. Design and Graphics, Pro-Co Auto Body, AMS Oil, Anderson Racing Auto Truck Repair
Special Thanks: Family, Friends
BD: Tyler do have any specific plans for 2014?
TA: Well we’re definitely going to run ASCS-Northwest and a few select events in California and Oregon. We will definitely be going down to Cottage Grove for the Marvin Smith Memorial and we’re going to try and fit some Midget races in when it doesn’t conflict with the Sprint Car stuff.
BD: Is there a story behind you racing the #24?
TA: No not really it was just a number I’ve liked since I was little. My dad used to race #14 when he ran Late Models and it’s kind of funny when you take #14 and that my dad was first generation driver in my family and I’m the second generation and my number is #24.
BD: How exactly did you get your start in racing?
TA: I’ve always wanted to race from day one. When I was old enough to do it I was on my power wheels around the house. I was practically born at the race track when my mom was pregnant with me she would still go to the races, it’s in my blood I guess. My career started out in the Rotax stuff and then got into the Shifter Karts. After that we moved up into the Micro Sprints and the first time I got into a full-sized Sprint Car was in 2010.
BD: What would you say is your biggest highlight up to this point?
TA: Probably being able to run the Sprint Car at fourteen. That’s a pretty big accomplishment being that young with that much horsepower.
BD: What were some of your favorite drivers you looked up to growing up?
TA: Jeff Gordon would probably be the only one but I like Kyle Busch too. Gordon was really good when I was growing up and won his first championship when I was born. I like Busch’s attitude he reminds me of Dale Earnhardt.
BD: Do you have any goals that you have set for yourself either this season or in the future?
TA: For this year my goal is to be consistent and don’t tear any equipment up and hopefully get a few main event wins. Long term I would like to race with the World of Outlaws someday and if the right opportunity came to run in NASCAR I would do it.
The Cottage Grove Speedway will be in action this Friday April 25th and Saturday the 26th for the Marvin Smith Memorial Grove Classic. Be sure and don’t miss it as this will be the first big Sprint Car race in the Pacific Northwest with $4,100.00 going to the winner of Saturday night. For more information log on to www.cottagrovespeedway.com.
Submitted By: Ben Deatherage