Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve is still an enigma for Reed Sorenson, only a few weeks away from his first NAPA Auto Parts 200 Presented by Dodge
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[/media-credit]Montr̩al, July 7, 2011 РCaught in a battle to the finish with Elliott Sadler for the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver title, Reed Sorenson from Georgia is intrigued by Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve where, at the NAPA Auto Parts 200 Presented by Dodge, he will be challenged for the first time by the famed road course. During the August 19-20 event, the eight-year series veteran will be discovering the Montr̩al track at the wheel of his Turner Racing #32 Chevrolet.
“Since I’ve never been to Montreal, I am quite intrigued by what I am going to discover,” Sorensen said. “The only track time I have experienced at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve was when I played the Formula 1 game on my Playstation. That is all I know even though in NASCAR, it will be a different game. After talking to a few drivers, I realized half the field likes the track and the other half has a hard time figuring it out.”
“I recently had the pleasure to speak with Reed and I know he is quite enthused at the idea of racing in Montréal,” explained François Dumontier, delegated promoter of the event, and President of Octane Management. “At the time of our event,, the Nationwide series will be at the three-quarter mark of its schedule, and by the looks of what is currently happening, no one seems to be running away with the championship. Reed Sorenson and Elliott Sadler will probably still be going at it. It will be a fantastic opportunity for the fans to see these two NASCAR veterans going head to head for the first time in Montréal.”
Following the July 1st Daytona race, twenty-five year-old Sorenson had competed 148 NASCAR Nationwide races since 2005. His record shows four wins, 38 top-5, and 79 top-10 finishes including two poles. The Georgia resident had also competed 161 NASCAR Sprint Cup races. Following this year’s first 17 events, he recorded a win at Road America in June, eight top-5 and 12 top-10 finishes. The standings showed Sorenson in first with a nine-point lead over Sadler. Ricky Stenhouse Jr was third, 22 points back of Sadler.
“I was Jacques Villeneuve’s spotter last year at Watkins Glen when he drove the #32 Toyota he also entered in Montreal. I know he has always done very well at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve,” remarked Sorenson who will be driving a Chevrolet instead of a Toyota, as Todd Braun sold his team to Steve Turner, who switched car manufacturer for this year. “I will have a talk with Jacques. I am sure he will share some of his secrets. Earlier this year, I took my first start at Road America and I won. I hope the same thing happens to me in Montreal.”
Tickets for the 2011 Montreal NAPA Auto Parts 200, presented by Dodge are currently on sale. To order the best grandstands tickets available and see Reed Sorenson, Elliott Sadler and all the other Nationwide stars take on the likes of Patrick Carpentier, Andrew Ranger, Alex Tagliani and Jacques Villeneuve on Friday, August 19 and Saturday, August 20, fans must call now 514 397-0007 or order online anytime at www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca.
Mandated by Stock-Car Montréal, a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Speedway Corporation (ISC) based in Daytona Beach, Florida, Octane Management is, since 2009, the delegated promoter of the NAPA Auto Parts 200, Presented by Dodge. ISC is the leading promoter of motorsports in North America, hosting over 100 major racing events each year.
