Reed Sorenson's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup debut at Atlanta Motor
Speedway Advance
CONTACT: Jennifer Powell, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, (704)
662-9642, jpowell@ganassi.com
Reed Sorenson, No. 39 Discount Tire Dodge
Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500-Atlanta Motor Speedway Advance
No. 41 TEAM FACTS:
* NEXTEL Cup Debut: Reed Sorenson is attempting to make his first
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race this weekend in Atlanta. Sorenson, who
grew up in nearby Peachtree City, will qualify for his first of two
NEXTEL Cup races he is scheduled to run in the No. 39 Discount Tire
Dodge. He will also try his hand in Texas the following week.
* Unveiling the 2006 Busch Series Paint Scheme: The No. 39
Discount Tire Dodge will be sporting the paint scheme that the No. 41
Dodge will look like in the Busch Series for the 2006 season. Sorenson
and Discount Tire will be unveiling next year's paint scheme when they
hit the track this weekend for the first practice.
* Atlanta Native: Atlanta Motor Speedway is very important to
the 19-year-old Busch Series rookie since it is a venue where he began
making a name for himself in his racing career. In five full seasons of
Legends racing and 183 starts, Sorenson amassed over 84 wins, 152
top-fives and 166 top-10 finishes.
* Testing: Sorenson and the No. 39 team tested at Atlanta Motor
Speedway last week in preparation for his NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series debut
in the MBNA 500. Since the Busch Series is off, Sorenson will be
focusing solely on the No. 39 DTC Dodge at the track.
* Chassis: The Discount Tire team will race chassis #114 at
Atlanta this weekend. Sorenson will be the third Chip Ganassi Racing
with Felix Sabates team member to drive this car this season. Casey
Mears drove this car in the first race at Atlanta and Pocono, while
Sterling Marlin drove the car in Michigan, Fontana and Dover.
* Countdown to Green: Sorenson will be waving the green-flag at
the First Annual Papa John's Invitational Legends Races this Friday
night. After qualifying, Sorenson will be on hand to start the first
all-star legends race. The race is invite only and will have one of the
largest purses for a legends race. Sorenson himself raced legends cars
at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
* 2005 Season: Sorenson has been running the full Busch Series
schedule in the No. 41 Discount Tire Dodge. In 31 starts this season he
has two wins, two poles, 11 top-five and 17 top-10 finishes. He is also
currently second in the rookie of the year race to Carl Edwards.
REED SORENSON QUOTES:
What are you doing to prepare yourself for your first Cup start this
weekend in Atlanta?
"I really don't know what to do to prepare myself. After I race and I
can tell you what maybe I should have done. I've talked to my teammate
Casey Mears and I've talked to David Stremme a little bit. David made
his Cup debut at Chicago and ran at Charlotte a couple of weeks ago.
I've talked to him and tried to get some advice from him, and Casey has
been helping me out as well. I am a little nervous for this weekend but
I will feel better after qualifying. That is always the hardest part
when you don't have points and you have to make it in on time. I am
happy to have Discount Tire on board with me for the debut. They have
been a great partner in the Busch Series this year and I will be running
again with them next season. They have been great at supporting me in
all of my new adventures. I am just excited to qualify this weekend in
Atlanta and again in the Cup car next weekend in Texas."
Reed Sorenson NASCAR Busch Series Atlanta Motor Speedway Results:
Date
Race
Start
Finish
Laps
Winnings
3/19/2005
Aaron's 312
28
19
203/203
$13,250
Starts
Wins
Top 5
Top 10
Poles
Winnings
1
0
0
0
0
$13,250
Reed Sorenson Cumulative NASCAR Busch Series Stats:
Starts Wins Top 5s Top 10s
Poles Winnings
37 2 11 19
2 $ 1,237,046
Last Top-Five: September 24, 2005 at Dover International Speedway
Last Top-10: October 8, 2005 at Kansas Speedway
Best Career Start: First on August 6, 2005 at Indianapolis Raceway Park
Best Career Finish: First on July 30, 2005 at Gateway International
Raceway
No. 39 Discount Tire Company Crew:
Name
Crew position
Race shop duty
Reed Sorenson
Driver
Driver
Andy Graves
Team Manager
Team Manager
Tony Glover
Team Manager
Team Manager
Lee McCall
Crew Chief
Crew Chief
Mark Rette
Car Chief
Car Chief/Chief Mechanic
Phil Drye
Front Tire Changer
Mechanic
Andy Silver
Front Tire Carrier
Test Team Mechanic
Daryl Lockyer
Rear Tire Changer
Race Day Only
John Gaynor
Rear Tire Carrier
Race Day Only
Brian Perry
Jack Man
Race Day Only
Rocky Boggs
Gas Man
Transport Driver
Eric Maycroft
Catch Can Man
Race Day Only
Tony Santanicola
Engine Specialist
Engine Specialist
Mike Cailnoff
Spotter
Race Day Only
Rob Lopes
Tire Specialist
Tire Specialist
Fred Ware
Pit Support
Swing Mechanic
Tom Brown
Pit Support
Truck Driver
Anwar Parrish
Scorer
Race Day Only
Tim O'Brian
Engineer
Engineer
Scott Robinson
Pit Support
Rear Mechanic
Jim Anderson
Shock Specialist
Shock Specialist
Jon Davis
Pit Support
Front Mechanic
###
Jennifer Powell
Media Relations
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
Office: (704) 662-9642 x1147
jpowell@ganassi.com
