during the radio broadcast of qualifying for the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, PRN’s Doug Rice reported that there are reports that #41-Reed Sorenson could be headed to Gillett Evernham Motorsports. When asked, Sorenson was evasive but didn’t deny the rumor. Later in the broadcast it was mentioned Sorenson could be headed to a 4th GEM team or could replace Patrick Carpentier in the #10 GEM Dodge.(8-22-2008) UPDATE: Reed Sorenson isn’t exactly pleased with how his Chip Ganassi Racing team is running but he said he is still deciding what to do in 2009. Sorenson reportedly is being wooed by Gillett Evernham Motorsports. “Nothing’s happened yet,” Sorenson said Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway. “I don’t really have anything to talk about right now. I don’t have anything [firm] right now. Stuff is going on but nothing has happened yet.” Sorenson said he expects things to get solidified for 2009 in the next month. “I’ve been here for five years, and obviously we’re not running where we should be – that goes for all of us, whether it be Chip [Ganassi], Juan [Pablo Montoya] or me or the crew chiefs,” said Sorenson, who has competed in Cup the last three seasons with Ganassi. “Everybody is kind of discouraged on how we are running. We’re testing every week just trying to get it better. We seem to be struggling trying to do that. I’ve got a lot of time built into this company. It means a lot to me. Target means a lot to me. I like everything. It’s just we’ve got to figure out how to run better.” If Sorenson went to GEM, he likely wouldn’t be guaranteed a spot in the Daytona 500. “I don’t think anybody wants to go to Daytona outside the top 35,” Sorenson said. “That’s not something you want to do. I’ve never been in that position. I don’t think I want to be in that position.”(SceneDaily) AND Reed Sorenson is apparently moving to Gillett Evernham Motorsports next season, multiple sources at Bristol Motor Speedway said on Friday. But where that leaves rookie Patrick Carpentier is unclear, as the team may release him or add a fourth car. No word yet on Sorenson’s replacement at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, a team that like many in the garage is fighting sponsor woes with Texaco definitely gone and Target rumored to be leaving, too.(Ford Racing)(8-23-2008) UPDATE 2: Reed Sorenson appears headed to Gillett Evernham Motorsports to drive the #10 car next year, according to Chip Ganassi Racing co-owner Felix Sabates. Sorenson, in his third year in Sprint Cup with the Ganassi team, said Friday that he did not have anything done yet for 2009, and Chip Ganassi Racing President Steve Lauletta said in a phone interview earlier in the day that they were still in talks with Sorenson. “From my point of view, his contract is over,” Sabates said. “I think Reed is today as good as he’s ever going to be. If somebody else wants to put him in a car, fine with us. We have a pretty good idea that he’s going to drive the 10 car. I wish him good luck.” A spokesman for Gillett Evernham Motorsports said the team had no comment. Patrick Carpentier currently is the driver of the #10 Dodge.(SceneDaily)(8-24-2008) UPDATE 3: Gillett Evernham Motorsports announced today that Reed Sorenson has signed a multi-year contract to join the team for the 2009 Sprint Cup season and beyond. “I’m pretty pumped up about this,” said Sorenson who started racing at age six before winning 250 quarter midget races and 84 Legends races. I can’t wait to get in their cars, I really believe in what they are doing with their program with all their wins and poles this year. Ray Evernham and the Gilletts are going to give us the equipment we need to go out and be a contender each weekend and eventually race for a championship.” “We will announce Reed’s sponsorships and car number in the near future,” said Tom Reddin, CEO of GEM. “He is a highly marketable young driver who knows how to win races, and has a long career full of promise ahead of him.”(GEM PR)(8-26-2008)
