Helping out for Habitat: Sorenson joined over 40 Bank of America associate volunteers on Tuesday to help begin framing a Habitat for Humanity home. The event took place at Sorenson’s hometown (Peachtree City, Ga.) track – Atlanta Motor Speedway. The completed house will become home to an Atlanta family.
Franchitti joins Ganassi: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced on Wednesday reigning Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series Champion Dario Franchitti has signed a multi-year deal with the organization to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) beginning in 2008. Franchitti will become the first European driver in the 59-year history of NASCAR to join the series full time when he assumes the driving duties of No. 40 Dodge Avenger next season. Franchitti will run for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Raybestos Rookie of the Year title along with an assortment of NASCAR Busch Series races.
Ganassi Globalization: The addition of Franchitti to Ganassi’s stable of drivers furthers the team’s international appeal, which now represents seven countries across five series (United States-Reed Sorenson-NNCS, Bryan Clauson-NBS, Scott Pruett-Grand Am, Rob Finlay-Grand Am, Chris Festa-Indy Pro Series; Colombia-Montoya-NNCS; Scotland-Franchitti-NNCS; New Zealand-Scott Dixon-IndyCar; England-Dan Wheldon-IndyCar; Canada-Michael Valiante-Grand Am; and Mexico-Memo Rojas-Grand Am).
A CoT First: This weekend’s Talladega race will mark the first restrictor-plate race for NASCAR’s new Car of Tomorrow. Sorenson, along with his CGRFS teammates and most of the drivers and teams on the circuit participated in a two-day NASCAR sanctioned test at the track on Sept. 10 & 11.
Points Update: Sorenson and the Target team maintained 23rd in the overall NEXTEL Cup Series driver standings with their seventh-place finish in the last event at Kansas. The team is 149 points out of 20th with seven races remaining in the 2007 season.
Chassis: Crew chief Jimmy Elledge has selected chassis #748 for this weekend’s inaugural CoT restrictor-plate race.
Ladies’ Night Returns to CGRFS: After a successful debut in 2006, Ladies’ Night is returning this October to the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) Concord, N.C., race shop Wednesday, October 10 (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET), with more fun festivities. In addition to free admission and a complimentary behind-the-scenes tour of the CGRFS race shop, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be on the house for all attendees. Guests will also be treated to a fall fashion show that will include apparel designed by the CGRFS Drive4Design contest winner Heath Harmon, as well as a sneak peek at the new fall fashions. Special guest speakers will stop by to visit and talk about their racing careers and lives. Raffle prizes will also be given away with all proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Reservations are required, so don’t delay. Call 1-800-888-6388 to reserve your spot for CGRFS Ladies’ Night 2007 today. To learn more go to www.chipganassiracing.com and click on “Charlotte Race Week 2007.”
Get all of their autographs this October: They say the early bird gets the worm, well in NASCAR the early fan gets the autograph. Clauson, along with his fellow CGRFS drivers Juan Pablo Montoya, Reed Sorenson, David Stremme and Memos Rojas (Grand-Am), will be taking a couple hours out of their fast-pace schedules on Friday, October 12, to stop by the CGRFS Concord, N.C., race shop to meet fans and sign autographs. The two-hour driver autograph session is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. and will run through 1 p.m. ET. In order to get an autograph, wristbands are required. To pick up a wristband, stop by the CGRFS gift shop or call toll free 1-866-888-6388 to reserve one. Note: Wristband holders are guaranteed an autograph from each driver (between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET Friday, October 12). Limit one autograph item per person per driver. Limit two wristbands per phone reservation.
Be Sure to Tune In: The UAW 500 is set to go green at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday. The race will air live on ABC, MRN radio and Sirius Satellite Radio channel 128.
