Sorenson should focus on Nationwide ride

Finding a ride for a NASCAR Cup Series team isn’t easy but the truth is staying in one may be even harder. AAA 400At just 23 years of age Reed Sorenson is looking for a cup ride in his third different organization.

To recap his career. Sorenson began his NASCAR career in 2005 racing for Ganassi in the Nationwide Series, winning two races and finishing fourth on the season. He raced a few times in a cup ride in 2005 and began the 2006 season with a full time ride in the 41 Target Dodge. His best season undoubtedly came in 2007 for Ganassi when he recorded a career best 3 top 5’s and 6 top 10’s while finishing 22nd in points. In 2008 he regressed finishing 32nd in points and signed with Gillett Evernham Motorsports (which later merged with Richard Petty Holdings)  for the 2009 season.

Things haven’t gone well for Sorenson this season in the famed 43 car with his ninth place showing at Daytona being the only top 10 on the season. He’s also made a couple starts for Braun Racing and Phoenix Racing on the Nationwide. After being the odd man out in the merger of Richard Petty Racing and Yates Racing he’s been linked to a full time ride with Braun Racing to race in the Nationwide Series in 2010.

Sorenson also is being considered by Phoenix Racing to drive the 09 car. Of coruse Phoneix Racing is also considering David Gilliand who will race for the team this week in Phoenix and David Stremme who will run at Homestead in addition to Casey Mears who is expected to not return to Richard Childress Racing in the 07 car.

It’s unclear whether the 09 car of Phoenix Racing will be a start and park team for all or part of the 2010 season but it’s a ride that a young driver like Sorenson would be best to stay away from at this point in his career. Even should the team actually try to be competitive a few Sunday’s the results don’t figure to be there.

Now you may say that racing on Sunday still puts money in your pocket and sure that may be true but if Sorenson was to burn the doors off in the Nationwide Series with a few victories and a good overall finish he’d likely get a good offer for a ride in 2011 considering he’ll be just 25 entering Daytona and has past experience in the series.

I don’t think there’s much to question about Reed having the ability to drive in the Cup series, it’s whether he can be consistent enough given a ride to be competitive going forward.

By not racing in the Cup series this season Sorenson could be suffering short term loss but long term gain in terms of both finances and a competitive ride in his future.

John Boarman
John Boarmanhttp://www.tireball.com
Founder and Owner of Tireball Sports.

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