Hard Turn
A NASCAR BLOG BY Jeff Owens
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Sorenson making smart move
Aug
26
Reed Sorenson is making a smart move by leaving Chip Ganassi Racing for Gillett Evernham Motorsports.
Likewise, Gillett Evernham is taking a good gamble by giving Sorenson a shot.
Though Sorenson has spent three full seasons in the Sprint Cup Series, we really don¹t know how good he is or how good he can be.
Sorenson has had two somewhat respectable seasons at Ganassi, finishing 24th and 22nd in points before this year's disaster (he's 30th).
But with the way all the Ganassi teams have struggled the past few years, he has not gotten a fair chance to show what he can do.
Everyone who has driven a Ganassi car the past few years has struggled to some degree, with its three Cup teams winning only one race (Juan Pablo Montoya's road-course win last year) in the past six seasons.
Jamie McMurray won in his second start with Ganassi but never again and Casey Mears left the organization without winning. Both have since won with Roush Fenway Racing and Hendrick Motorsports, respectively.
Montoya showed great promise last year, but he has struggled and taken a step backward this season. That Ganassi is not able to give a driver with world-class talent a competitive car is a sure sign that the organization is in disarray.
Even more troubling is the team's inability to find a sponsor for Dario Franchitti and the recent loss of longtime sponsor Texaco.
Not only is Ganassi struggling to field competitive teams, now it is struggling to find and keep sponsors. That doesn't bode well for an
organization that is falling further and further behind the sport's top teams.
As a result, the jury is still out on Sorenson.
At age 22, he could indeed be a talented young race-car driver who simply hasn't gotten a chance to prove it yet.
Gillett Evernham has had its share of struggles as well but has won three races this year (including the non-points Sprint All-Star race) with Kasey Kahne and has 10 wins in the past four years.
The organization is smart to take a chance on a young driver who still has the potential to succeed and is young enough to still have a solid career ahead of him.
At age 22, and with just three years of Cup experience, Sorenson hasn't completely proved that he cannot contend at NASCAR's top level.
Maybe all he needs is a chance.
Likewise, Gillett Evernham is taking a good gamble by giving Sorenson a shot.
Though Sorenson has spent three full seasons in the Sprint Cup Series, we really don¹t know how good he is or how good he can be.
Sorenson has had two somewhat respectable seasons at Ganassi, finishing 24th and 22nd in points before this year's disaster (he's 30th).
But with the way all the Ganassi teams have struggled the past few years, he has not gotten a fair chance to show what he can do.
Everyone who has driven a Ganassi car the past few years has struggled to some degree, with its three Cup teams winning only one race (Juan Pablo Montoya's road-course win last year) in the past six seasons.
Jamie McMurray won in his second start with Ganassi but never again and Casey Mears left the organization without winning. Both have since won with Roush Fenway Racing and Hendrick Motorsports, respectively.
Montoya showed great promise last year, but he has struggled and taken a step backward this season. That Ganassi is not able to give a driver with world-class talent a competitive car is a sure sign that the organization is in disarray.
Even more troubling is the team's inability to find a sponsor for Dario Franchitti and the recent loss of longtime sponsor Texaco.
Not only is Ganassi struggling to field competitive teams, now it is struggling to find and keep sponsors. That doesn't bode well for an
organization that is falling further and further behind the sport's top teams.
As a result, the jury is still out on Sorenson.
At age 22, he could indeed be a talented young race-car driver who simply hasn't gotten a chance to prove it yet.
Gillett Evernham has had its share of struggles as well but has won three races this year (including the non-points Sprint All-Star race) with Kasey Kahne and has 10 wins in the past four years.
The organization is smart to take a chance on a young driver who still has the potential to succeed and is young enough to still have a solid career ahead of him.
At age 22, and with just three years of Cup experience, Sorenson hasn't completely proved that he cannot contend at NASCAR's top level.
Maybe all he needs is a chance.
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Comments
8 responses to "Sorenson making smart move"
Michael Murray said:
Aug 26, 2008 at 1:27 PMJeff no doubt the struggles of CGR is well noted over the past few year and that is not on Reeds shoulders to bare. "Maybe all he needs is a chance" Come On, I think the past 36 months of being a pack filler is far more than most will ever chance at. Stemme, Yelley the list goes on of guys with rides that been dropped due to performance issues. My questions is what does GE Racing see in him that will make this any different? I know it's not based on personality he is a cold fish and sounds like a tape recorded response every time a reporter is speaking with him.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportPatricia Christmann said:
Aug 26, 2008 at 2:24 PMMichael, what is your problem with Reed? You are so negative -- I'm thinking maybe he stole your girlfriend?? Take a deep breath and give the guy a decent chance which is what GEM is doing.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportPatricia Christmann said:
Aug 26, 2008 at 2:27 PMOK -- I'll try again! Lighten up Michael and give Reed the same chance GEM is. They are the professionals.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMichael Murray said:
Aug 26, 2008 at 2:40 PMPat-I feel you on this my issue is, this sport is built on passion which I have yet to see a shred of from young Reed in comparison to so many other drives in the past few years. I have said it before on this site Reed is Vanilla and does not contend for wins. As much as Michael Waltrip is annoying and is the king of the cautions he still brings the passion and personality that keep me watching his progress. Reed is the most forgettable full time driver in the series at this point and I would like to see a few others with passion get a second chance with a decent team like GEM.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRichard Clower said:
Aug 27, 2008 at 5:24 AMMichael, there you go again. I just don't understand your obsession with Reed. Why should Reed not have a ride? If I were a sponsor I would much rather have young talented kid like him. I think guys like waltrip, Nemechek, Elliott, Schrader, T Labonte, KylePetty etc. are the ones that should step aside and let the younger generation get a shot. I still think youraced against Reed at some ppoint and must have kicked you around a little, huh? The sport is far from being built on passion, it's built on money and talent. The passion comes from the fans.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportKelsey Hannigan said:
Aug 27, 2008 at 9:27 AMI just wan tot know what will happen to Patrick. As it seems right now the GEM organization doesn't have the depth to form another team until the #10 is strong enough, but just dumping Patrick like Evernham did with both Mayfield, a proven winner in the organization, Riggs who did indeed give him a 20 points season, what Kasey gave him last year, would just prove how he's just shooting blind hoping for a quality driver without developing the ones he has. Keep Patrick you silly fool Evernham
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJennifer Nelsen said:
Aug 28, 2008 at 9:41 AMIts great to see Reed out of a bad team and into a better team. Reed is a great driver. He can finish better at GEM. GEM has great drivers Kasey winning. Elliott doing great and have a problem. Can't wait to see Reed win his first race in Cup and finishing in the top 10 and 5 and winning. I miss seeing Reed in the top 5 and 10. GO GEM GO!!!!!!!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJennifer Nelsen said:
Aug 28, 2008 at 9:46 AMI agree with Jeff Owens that Reed made the right dessions. Reed is a great driver. He will fit in with Kasey and Elliott. Can not wait to see Reed in the top 5,top 10 and in victrory lane soon. I miss seeing Reed in the top 10. I am getting sick of seeing him Strugging. GO GEM GO!!!!!!
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