MIS: Sorenson Wins First ARCA Race

BROOKLYN, Mich. June 19, 2004; Tim Martin writing for the AP reported that Reed Sorenson pulled away from the field late in Saturday's caution-filled ARCA race, capturing his first stock car victory.

Thirty-eight of the 100 laps in the Flagstar 200 were run under caution at the two-mile oval of Michigan International Speedway. That kept Sorenson's winning speed to 112.518 mph.

But the green flag remained out for the final 25 laps, and the 18-year-old Sorenson, a product of team owner Chip Ganassi's racing development program, pulled away. He beat second-place finisher Matt Hagans by 6.399 seconds -- nearly a quarter of a lap.

"After we got it clear, the last 25 laps, the car was pretty good," Sorenson said.

Early on it was a different story.

"It got a little hairy once in a while," said Sorenson, who finished fourth in his ARCA debut last month in Charlotte. He races full-time in the American Speed Association.

Hagans, a veteran on the ARCA circuit at age 47, praised Sorenson's ability to handle the early cautions. Only 30 of the field's 40 drivers finished.

"It is survival in traffic," Hagans said. "You have to give credit to someone who has never been here before."

A.J. Henriksen, Brent Sherman and Christi Passmore, the only woman in the lineup, rounded out the top five.

Record-setting pole winner Justin Hobgood had to start from near the back of the field after his car was one of seven late for the prerace technical inspection.

His race ended when his Dodge lost its left rear tire and hit the wall on the 15th lap, an accident that also knocked Jason Jarrett -- son of NASCAR star Dale Jarrett -- out of the race.

There were several crashes, including one in which Chad McCumbee's car rolled over seven times after smashing into the car driven by C.W. Smith. Neither driver was injured.