There has been speculation that #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, unhappy with Chip Ganassi for making yet another crew chief change, could leave at the end of the season, possibly to replace Tony Stewart at Joe Gibbs Racing if Stewart decides to move on. Though unlikely, if Montoya were to leave Ganassi, it might be the only way Reed Sorenson gets to stay in the #41 Target Dodge. But if Montoya does stay put, which would appear the more likely scenario, Sorenson could be on his way out. The 22-year-old Sorenson has been with CGR for five years, starting first as a developmental driver, then as a Busch Series competitor and subsequently a quick ascension to a full-time Cup ride at the age of 20. He finished 24th in the standings in his rookie campaign two years ago, improved to 22nd last season, but has had a horrible start to his junior season currently in 30th position, with just one top-five finish in the first 12 events (a fifth-place finish in the season-opening Daytona 500). The last four races came under new crew chief Donnie Wingo, who switched roles/teams with Jimmy Elledge (Montoya’s former crew chief) just before Sorenson’s last-place finish at Talladega on April 27. Sorenson’s in the final year of his three-year contract with CGR. While he’s trying to remain optimistic that he’ll be retained, two things seem to be working against him. Sorenson acknowledges with a shrug he’s heard rumors that Dan Wheldon, who drives for Ganassi in the Indy Racing League, is interested in jumping to NASCAR to join fellow former open-wheelers Montoya and Dario Franchitti. It’s highly unlikely Ganassi would expand his Cup program to four teams, meaning one driver currently in his stable would have to go. More than likely that would be Sorenson, who would find himself in the same position as former teammate David Stremme, who was bounced to the curb last year in favor of Franchitti. Sorenson’s overall performance this season does not put him in a very strong bargaining position. While a longtime Ganassi favorite, Sorenson is expendable, particularly if a guy like Wheldon decides to make the switch. “I’m kind of making sure I concentrate on (this year) before I get too carried away with next year yet,” he said. “I figure if I can run good here for a little while, then (whether he’ll stay with CGR) will take care of itself.”(Yahoo Sports)(6-1-2008)
