Sorenson discusses Petty-Yates merger
Host, Dave Moody: "When did you first learn of this?"
Reed Sorenson: "Well, to be honest with you, I've heard rumors and things like that and whatnot of something going on with a merger but as far as knowing exactly what's going on, I haven't really paid too much attention to it. I've just been working with my team and when I've been to the shop this week I really didn't talk to anybody in upper management or anything. I was hanging out with my guys and working with my crew chief there so I didn't know when this was going to happen or what they were working on but obviously it came along this week."
Moody: "So in terms of actually having a face-to-face conversation or even a telephone conversation with somebody in upper management to tell you that you're not apparently a part of the plan for next year, have you or have you not had that conversation as of yet?"
Sorenson: "Well, not really pertaining to this I haven't got any conversation but there have been some conversations in the past few weeks just discussing next year and I've kind of known for a few weeks now that I'm looking for a job next year. I think everything for the rest of this year is set as far as what our plans are and what our goals are but as far as next year for me as a driver, just looking to the future and looking for a ride."
"This is a tough time to not only get a ride but get a good ride. And that's probably the toughest thing about it is trying to put yourself in a position where you can get yourself in a car where you can see yourself having a future at. That's the toughest thing right now. I'm only 23 years old and I thought this was going to be a place where I could get down with a team and start a long future but obviously that hasn't worked out. The sponsors I've worked with this year have been great and we've had zero problems with them. All the sponsors, they've wanted to work with me again next year so I don't think that's a problem. I just think it's the circumstances of the economy and what everybody's having to do to get through it."
"At the end of the day it is a business but I think the most depressing thing about it is I like everybody that I work with including my teammates and all the guys at the shop. So that's probably the most depressing thing about it all is just not being able to set up long term goals with the guys at the shop and [not] being able to work with them again next year. You know, our cars have gotten a lot better throughout the year and it would be awesome to go through the offseason and build something up to start next year but that's not going to happen."
Moody: "Are there any irons in the fire for you for 2010 as of right now?" Sorenson: "Still working on it, man. As we talked about, it's not a good time to be looking for a ride, especially a good one. The one good thing I have is that I am young and I'm going to work my butt off the rest of this year to try and find a job and just keep doing the best I can. That's all you can do. Just like I said, the sad thing is just everything was going really well here with all the team members and with all the sponsors so that's probably just the worst thing about it all is just how well everything was going and now it's all coming to an end."
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