The No. 1 Dodge finished ninth at Memphis in 2003. Credit: Autostock

Teen-age phenom ready for second NBS start

Reed Sorenson will drive No. 1 Dodge at Memphis

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Reed Sorenson's first foray into NASCAR Busch Series racing was about as good as a raw rookie can do.

Sorenson, the 18-year-old from Peachtree City, Ga., qualified a Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge third at Indianapolis Raceway Park, and Sorenson survived to finish 13th.

Reed Sorenson

Sorenson is one of Ganassi's development drivers, winning the ASA rookie of the year award as a 17-year-old last season. He won the ASA race at Lowe's Motor Speedway last weekend in front of the Busch Series and Nextel Cup teams.

The victory last weekend was his first in ASA, and he is in the thick of the ASA championship race, trailing Kevin Cywinski by 45 points with one race remaining.

But first, Sorenson will try some more Busch racing. This weekend, in the series' final short-track race, Sorenson will be behind the wheel of Phoenix Racing's No. 1 Dodge for the Sam's Town 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park.

Team owner James Finch has helped Ganassi drivers before, and Sorenson has wanted to drive the car most of the season.

"I've been talking to James all year about wanting to get in the Yellow car." Sorenson said. "This track is a perfect place to get my first start with the team because it's similar to the tracks I grew up on. I think we should have a great finish this weekend."

Sorenson began his racing career at age six in quarter-midgets before moving to Legends cars. In five seasons in Legends cars, Sorenson won 84 races, catching the attention of some NASCAR team owners.

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In 2002, at age 16, Sorenson began his ASA career, posting seven top-10s in eight races. Ganassi was impressed, signing the driver to a development contract. Sorenson has raced three ARCA events in 2004, winning at Michigan, finishing second at Talladega and fourth at Charlotte.

Phoenix Racing crew chief Jon Wolfe sees a lot of talent in Sorenson, even if it is the young driver's second Busch race.

"We're taking a car to Memphis that has won at Richmond two times, and it's the same car that sat on the outside pole at the spring Richmond race," Wolfe said. "Reed may be new to Busch Series competition, but he's got a lot of talent and I am looking forward to seeing him in our car."

The No. 1 Dodge finished ninth at Memphis with David Stremme at the controls in 2003, but Wolfe hopes for more.

"We finished ninth last year, and I'm sure that we can better that finish this weekend," Wolfe said.

That would be news to Sorenson's ears.