“At times it’s hard to believe that I’m already competing in the NEXTEL Cup Series,” said Sorenson. “I never would’ve thought at this age that I would be racing against guys like Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. I will say though, that I’ve worked extremely hard to get to this level and I’m going to make the very best of the opportunity that Target and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates have given me.
Sorenson began racing in 1992 at the tender age of six, competing on the regional Quarter Midgets circuit. After five successful seasons that saw Sorenson win nine Southeastern Championships and set 15 different track records, the rising star was crowned the National Champion in 1997.
Sorenson then transitioned into the Legends Cars, where he spent five seasons racking up 84 wins, 152 top-five finishes and 166 top-10 finishes in 183 starts. The American Speed Association (ASA) was Sorenson’s next rug on the ladder and in 2002 he posted seven top-10 finishes in only eight starts.
The following season Sorenson became the youngest driver to date to receive ASA rookie-of-the-year honors en route to a fourth-place finish in the overall standings by recording seven top-five finishes and 14 top-10 finishes in 17 starts. More importantly he began catching the eye of many of NASCAR’s top owners, including CGRFS.
In 2004 CGRFS signed Sorenson to its driver development program and since both parties have experienced a great deal of success together. Sorenson was a legitimate contender for the 2004 ASA title, and in addition competed in a number of NASCAR Busch Series and ARCA events. Sorenson won his first ARCA race in just his second start at Michigan in July and he produced one top-five and three top-10 finishes in five Busch Series starts.
The 2005 season marked Sorenson’s first full-time stint in the NASCAR ranks as he competed for both a championship and rookie-of-the-year honors in the Busch Series. He captured his first pole and win in only the sixth race of the season at Nashville Superspeedway, and he went on to finish the season with two poles, two wins, 12 top-five finishes and 19 top-10 finishes. Sorenson finished fourth in the overall standings and came up just a few points shy of capturing the rookie title.
Sorenson’s impressive Busch Series performance ultimately landed him a position in the NEXTEL Cup Series driving the familiar No. 41 Team Target Dodge. He has risen to the top at every level of racing he has competed in, and now being teamed with veteran Team Target crew chief Jimmy Elledge and the No. 41 crew, it should only be a matter of time before he is a contender in NASCAR’s elite division.
“The transition into the NEXTEL Cup Series isn’t going to be an easy one, but I look forward to the challenge,” said Sorenson. “I’ve got great equipment, a knowledgeable crew chief and a talented team, so all of the components are in place for us to be competitive. Our goals for the season are to complete as many laps as possible, get some top-10 and top-five finishes, contend for a win or two and hopefully bring home the Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year title.”
Just a handful of years ago, Reed Sorenson was racing in the Legends Cars ranks and dreaming of one day competing at NASCAR’s highest level, the NEXTEL Cup Series. At age 19 that dream became reality as the young, Georgia native was selected by Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) to drive its No. 41 Target Dodge entry and contend for 2006 Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors against one of the series’ most talented rookie classes in recent history.
