Reed Sorenson will make his Nextel Cup Series debut at Atlanta next month. Credit: Autostock

Sorenson not distracted by Nextel Cup projects

Head-turning rookie says he's still focused on Busch Series

Anyone going through all that Reed Sorenson is going through these days could get understandably distracted.

After all, he sits third in the Busch Series standings with just seven races to go, he's in an intense battle with Carl Edwards for rookie-of-the-year honors and he's seven weeks away from making his Nextel Cup Series debut at his hometown track, Atlanta Motor Speedway.

	Credit: Autostock
	Inside the Numbers Reed Sorenson has 11 top-five finishes in the Busch Series Date Track Start Finish 11/20/04 Homestead 7 4 2/26/05 Fontana 4 5 3/26/05 Nashville 1 1 4/4/05 Bristol 6 3 4/16/05 Texas 15 3 5/28/05 Charlotte 6 5 6/4/05 Dover 6 2 6/12/05 Nashville 6 3 6/18/05 Kentucky 8 4 7/30/05 Gateway 2 1 8/6/05 IRP 1 3

So what does a guy with all that going on plan to do with a precious off-week?

"I'm going to see Rascal Flatts on Friday," he said. "That's the only plan I have."

Hardly a guy that seems overcome with stress.

Regardless, things have happened fast for the 19-year-old Sorenson. Just 33 starts into his Busch Series career, Sorenson, a Peachtree City, Ga. native, has amassed two wins, 18 top-10 finishes and a bunch of turned heads.

Still, with all the big things happening so quickly in his career, Sorenson says he's still focused on his Busch Series run.

"I really want another win," said Sorenson. "I think the whole Busch team is pretty focused as far as that goes.

"I don't think it's caused a distraction," said Sorenson. "I'm pretty excited about it, not to say that I'm not worried about it.

There was reason to worry for Sorenson recently. Four consecutive finishes outside the top 10 in August, punctuated with finishes of 41st and 36th due to engine woes at Watkins Glen and Michigan had dropped Sorenson to fourth in the series standings.

He got back in the top 10 -- and back to third in the standings -- with a seventh-place effort last weekend at Richmond.

"We've gone through a lot in the past month or so," Sorenson said. "This weekend we came back. We had one of the best cars we've had all year.

"We're back on track," he said. "We just need a little bit of luck on our side."

Sorenson will drive a No. 39 Dodge in the Cup races at both Atlanta and Texas later on this season. Discount Tire, Sorenson's sponsor in the Busch Series, will sponsor his Cup rides this season.

There is one thing that worries Sorenson about his Cup debut -- qualifying.

"You always have to out-qualify a certain amount of people to get into the race," Sorenson said. "I'll be able to breathe a little more after that lap."

Even though Sorenson obviously wants to win those Cup races, he's realistic about his chances.

"That race is going to be more of a learning experience more than anything else," Sorenson said.

"Just finishing on the lead lap, not getting in any wrecks and learning as much as I can is going to be a big part of the day."

In other words, staying out of the way.

"You don't want to mess up any of the guys that are running for the championship," said Sorenson. "Just like I wouldn't want somebody coming in the Busch Series and causing any problems with that.

"You just have to be careful and respectful of those guys."