Getting Up To Speed With…Nathan Ellertson
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Madman Photography)
Our next driver we talk to is Nathan Ellertson. Ellertson, originally from Hermosa Beach, California, started competing at the Cottage Grove Speedway in 2010. Earlier in his career he spent time driving at venues such as Ventura Raceway, Santa Maria Speedway, and Bakersfield Speedway. After driving for his father-in-law Mike Griffith for a couple of years Nathan decided to get his own team assembled. In 2013 Ellertson formed 4 His Glory Racing which specializes in race ministries. For more information on this 4 His Glory Racing check them out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4HisGloryRacing.
Driver: Nathan Ellertson
Home Track: Cottage Grove
Hometown: Fall Creek, Oregon
Occupation: Fencing Contractor
Age: 37
Years Racing: 11
Classification: Northwest Extreme Sprint/Non-Wing Sprint
Car Number: 4E
Chassis: Rocket
Sponsors: 4 His Glory Racing, 1st Choice Construction, Green Gables Mini Storage, Bear Racing Components, Archer Floor Coverings, Van Raden Industries
Special Thanks: Kevin Ellertson (Dad), Michelle Ellertson (Wife), the Griffith Family, the Spaulding family, Jesus Christ
BD: When you first started racing up here you weren’t living in Oregon. You moved up here from California a few years ago correct?
NE: Correct. When I first started racing in Oregon I was living in Lawndale, California. I moved up here to be closer to Michelle and got a great opportunity to driver for her dad Mike (Griffith). I would run the Non-Wing races when he would run the Winged races.
BD: You’ve run both Winged and Non-Winged. Which do you prefer?
NE: Before the last Winged race I totally liked Non-Wing racing but my Winged car finished very well for its first race. The Non-Wing deal the driver has to react really quickly where the Winged cars you go a lot faster. I’m still a little bit more biased to the Non-Wing stuff. That’s what I started in down in California.
BD: Of all the tracks you’ve visited how do you rate Cottage Grove?
JR: Honestly it’s my favorite. It provides consistently two grooves of racing. I think it’s the most competitive track. You don’t need a lot of horse power to run up front.
BD: A few weeks back you had Austin Mero run for you. How was it being a car owner for a night?
NE: That was really cool. I’ve known him for a few years through racing. He used to run at the Cory Kruseman School. I feel I’ve been blessed to do this and I decided to bless someone else. He had been out of ride for three years. He had a blast running at Cottage Grove and gave me great setup feedback. He’s going to come back and run the Non-Wing Nationals later this year.
BD: What are some of you plans this year?
NE: Our main priority is to compete for the Northwest Extreme Sprint championship at Cottage Grove. The way the deal is set up it’s very realistic to chase for the title. We may run a couple of other race tracks with the Wing on later this year. We will run some Non-Wing shows but mainly stay local. At the end of the year we are going to put in a full blown 360 engine and run the Oval Nationals down at Perris Auto Speedway.
The Cottage Grove Speedway gets back to action this Friday and Saturday. On Friday May 24th Karts will kick off the weekend while Saturday the 25th will be Armed Forces Night. Classes on Saturday will consist of the Northwest Extreme Sprints, WMRA/USAC Midgets, Dwarf Cars, and Hornets. For more information be sure and visit the venue’s homepage www.cottagegrovespeedway.com or call the brand new Northwest Tracks Hotline at (360)-699-RACE.
- Ben Deatherage on May 22, 2013
- Article Date: 5/22/2013