Tuesday morning, Reed Sorenson announced he will be joining Gillett Evernham Motorsports (GEM) for the 2009 season. Sorenson will be leaving Chip Ganassi Racing after three years. It appears neither Sorenson nor Chip Ganassi Racing co-Owner Felix Sebates are disappointed with the move.

Lackluster runs and bad luck have produced poor finishes and results that made keeping sponsors happy much more difficult. Earlier this week, Sebates let everyone know his opinion of Sorenson by saying, "From my point of view, his contract is over. 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.

With Tuesday's announcement, it also appears it did not take long for Sorenson to find Gillett Evernham Motorsports.

"There was negotiations going on," Sorenson said of Chip Ganassi Racing, adding, "just obviously made a move that I felt like would be better for myself and the future, and hopefully this will be a good move. I think the team fits me well here, and I just see where this would be a good move for me on down the road and short term, as well. 

This announcement also puts Patrick Carpentier on the hot seat.  It seems if GEM can find a sponsor for Carpentier he will stay with the team, however his contract with the team expires at the end of the 2008 season.

"I can tell you right now, I know they are looking for sponsorship for him right now, and that's really all I can say about that," Sorenson said of Carpentier's situation.

Sorenson explained his decision was not made based on financial terms - although I'm sure that was a significant part of it - instead, it was to win races. Which sponsor and which car number Sorenson will use next season are still up in the air.

"I'm going over here to try to make myself a better race car driver. That's the main point of going over here, and that's the bottom line," Sorenson made clear.

"I wanted to be more competitive and I wanted to have some more opportunities to win races and things like that," Sorenson added. "That's the reason for coming over here, and I want to be a part of it and Gillett and Evernham Motorsports and everything that they are about and represent"

Currently a three car-team, Sorenson will join Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler at Gillett Evernham Motorsports and this relationship appears to be much more beneficial than the situation with the Ganassi organization.

This announcement also shows that GEM is willing to do what it takes to get to that next rung on the NASCAR ladder. Last year's disappointment has given ways to two wins - plus the All Star race - and better runs from all three teams has given light to what this organization's potential is. George Gillett and Ray Evernham want to win as bad as any other owner in the garage, and it appears they are taking that next step in becoming a top-notch championship-caliber team. Expect more changes out of this organization and look for things to come as the season rolls on.