Richmond, Va. – Friends.
That’s what Reed Sorenson credits allowing him to have the opportunity to drive the No. 34 Ford Fusion for Front Row Motorsports in Saturday night’s Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.
“I’m just really excited to get back in the car,” Sorenson told CATCHFENCE.com. “I’m thankful for Front Row Motorsports to give me the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the No. 34 car and have a good race. A couple of guys on the team were on my team last year so that will help to get to know everyone. I haven’t raced in a few weeks, so I am more than ready to race again.”
With the team’s regular driver David Ragan continuing to sub for the injured Kyle Busch at Joe Gibbs Racing, interim driver Chris Buescher has elected to focus on just his NASCAR XFINITY Series ride with Roush Fenway Racing, opening the door for Sorenson to step in and compete in his second race of the season.
Sorenson partnered with John Cohen’s Team Xtreme Racing for the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, but the team’s speedweeks was virtually done before it started.
Having to qualify on-time at the “World Center of Racing”, Sorenson was aggressive during knockout qualifying and threw a block at Clint Bowyer, who tagged the rear of Sorenson’s No. 44 Chevrolet, igniting a multi-car crash.
With no backup car on the property, the team was forced to hustle back to North Carolina to adequately prepare a second machine to compete in the qualifying races. Sorenson successfully raced his way into the Daytona 500, but found himself engaged in a late race shuffle dropping him to 33rd when the checkered flag flew.
From Daytona, Sorenson attempted to make four straight races with RAB Racing with Brack Maggard, but failed to qualify for each race in Robby Benton’s No. 29 Toyota.
This weekend, the Peachtree City, Georgia native won’t have to stress about making the race, but rather concentrate on reeling in a performance that he and FRM can be satisfied with. Sorenson also eyes the opportunity as hope to keep his name a float in the Cup Series garage.
“Richmond is a track I have always liked and I think we can a solid run and have some fun,” sounded Sorenson. “It’s the best short track we go too. It has multiple lanes. It loses grip over a run and has good passing there. It’s a (prime) opportunity.”
With nothing on the horizon following Saturday night’s Toyota Owners 400, Sorenson realizes the importance of keeping his foot in the door at FRM, especially for an another opportunity to compete at NASCAR’s premiere level.
“I hope I can work with the team in the future,” Sorenson added.
A good run could positively add clout to keeping that door open, especially with Ragan’s return uncertain.
Chris Buescher will return to Front Row’s No. 34 car at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on May 3.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
