FBG Racing - Gambling With Driver Development?
There has been some speculation in the garage area as to whether or not FBG Racing CEO Frank Gordon's decision to put rookie Reed Sorenson into the coveted captain's seat for FBG's Busch team, meaning that a rookie will take the field at every Busch event for the 2005 season, was a wise one. Or even a sane one. But Gordon is all smiles.
"After watching Reed at the Fall ASA race at Talladega and then the Busch Series race in Atlanta, I said to myself, 'Man, this kid is gifted, if I ever start a Busch team, I'd like him on board.' When I heard that he was planning on attending UNC, I thought it would be a while before he'd be willing or able to take a full time ride." Early last week, however, Sorenson got a call from the FBG Racing founder when the rumor mill began spinning tales that Reed would take a full-time ride if offered one, and owners started scrambling. "I already had the deal with Discount Tires sewn up", says Gordon, "As soon as I heard that Reed wanted to compete for the Busch Championship, I went after the sponsor while the other guys were trying to get the driver. After that, it was as simple as one telephone call."
While no one is objecting to Sorenson's climb to the Busch Series, there has been some speculation as to whether or not he's ready to handle the responsibility of being a team captain. Gordon contends that No. 41 driver's job is to race cars, not be a political figure. "I just wanted him to race for me, didn't feel that I needed to bother waiting on the draft. Besides, I'm confident in his abilities."
And the numbers speak for themselves. Already a driving force in the Legends and ASA Series, Sorenson chalked up a top 5 and 3 top tens in just five Busch Series starts last year. Some drivers don't place stats like that after 2 years behind the wheel of a Busch car.
Sorenson makes his first start for the FBG Racing team at the Hersey's Take 300 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida on February 19.
"After watching Reed at the Fall ASA race at Talladega and then the Busch Series race in Atlanta, I said to myself, 'Man, this kid is gifted, if I ever start a Busch team, I'd like him on board.' When I heard that he was planning on attending UNC, I thought it would be a while before he'd be willing or able to take a full time ride." Early last week, however, Sorenson got a call from the FBG Racing founder when the rumor mill began spinning tales that Reed would take a full-time ride if offered one, and owners started scrambling. "I already had the deal with Discount Tires sewn up", says Gordon, "As soon as I heard that Reed wanted to compete for the Busch Championship, I went after the sponsor while the other guys were trying to get the driver. After that, it was as simple as one telephone call."
While no one is objecting to Sorenson's climb to the Busch Series, there has been some speculation as to whether or not he's ready to handle the responsibility of being a team captain. Gordon contends that No. 41 driver's job is to race cars, not be a political figure. "I just wanted him to race for me, didn't feel that I needed to bother waiting on the draft. Besides, I'm confident in his abilities."
And the numbers speak for themselves. Already a driving force in the Legends and ASA Series, Sorenson chalked up a top 5 and 3 top tens in just five Busch Series starts last year. Some drivers don't place stats like that after 2 years behind the wheel of a Busch car.
Sorenson makes his first start for the FBG Racing team at the Hersey's Take 300 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida on February 19.
posted by G2 Auto Racing at 6:56 AM
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