Sorenson is Top 10 in Final 2006 NASCAR Busch Series Standings
Although Reed Sorenson’s night went up in flames quite literally when his engine expired on lap 44 at Homestead-Miami Speedway (HMS), the DNF didn’t keep him from finishing the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series season as a top-10 driver—standing 10th, with 3,670 points, at the conclusion of Saturday night’s race.
Sorenson lined up to take the final green flag of the 2006 season in 30th place. He radioed his team early on that the loose condition he encountered during his qualifying run earlier in the day was still present. The engine also seemed to be lacking its usual power.
Then, on lap 44, just as he radioed his crew chief Brian Pattie the oil pressure light was on he quickly followed up with, “We just lost our engine.” Immediately, the No. 41 Dodge appeared to be engulfed in flames. Sorenson’s spotter, Lorin Ranier, yelled over the radio telling the young, 20-year old driver to park the car and get out. Sorenson didn’t hesitate as he swerved the car down low onto the grass for a quick escape.
The flames subsided as Sorenson was taken to the HMS infield care center. Thankfully, he miraculously escaped the incident without a scratch. After being cleared and released, he commented, “That was a first for me. I have had cars catch on fire before but not like that,” he said with a huge smile of relief. “I just feel bad for all of the guys on the Discount Tire team. Unfortunately, this is the way the entire season has seemed to play out for us. The car
actually felt pretty good in practice yesterday. It was a little loose like it was tonight. I did notice the engine seemed a little off, and the guys looked at that and we thought it was going to be okay. I know we are better than this so I must admit I am glad to be putting this year behind us and am looking to 2007. I just want to thank everyone who supported us this year, the sponsors like Discount Tire and everyone back at the shop. It’s been a long one and now it is definitely time to start looking to a new year and new beginning.”
Sorenson finished 10th in the NASCAR Busch Series standings, which has earned him a spot at the annual NASCAR Busch Series championship banquet to be hosted at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. on Friday, December 8. The No. 41 team finished 11th in the final Busch Series owner standings, falling just 21 points short of the top 10.
Pre-season testing for the 2007 season will begin this upcoming January. Sorenson will not run fulltime in the Busch Series next year, but will be sharing the No. 41 Busch ride with fellow teammate David Stremme.
