The MD3 Rookie of the Year contender continues to tackle new venues one lap at a time
Dustin Sorensen left DIRTcar Nationals with two gator trophies, and while they weren’t for his Late Model efforts, the victories still helped his 2024 season start off on the right foot.
Before piloting his #19 Longhorn Chassis Late Model at Volusia Speedway Park in February, the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model MD3 Rookie of the Year contender piloted a DIRTcar UMP Modified to two victories. He also finished third in Big Gator points with the division.
“It was really cool there,” Sorensen said. “We had a really good Longhorn Modified for me to drive. The guys at Longhorn went through the winter and got it all put together. It was awesome. Super thankful for that opportunity from Craig Shaw. I was looking forward to getting more laps around Volusia and it was a good deal.”
It was his first time at DIRTcar Nationals but second time at Volusia after finishing 22nd and 27th at the track during World of Outlaws’ season opener at Sunshine Nationals. And while his Late Model and Modified share few similarities, he said any track time he can get is beneficial.
“(The Modified) helped with the line choices,” Sorensen said. “It actually messed me up probably the first day and a half getting back to being used to driving the Late Model because I drove it in a lot harder. I think later in the week it helped me a little bit.”
He finished 21st and 16th during the two World of Outlaws Late Model races at DIRTcar Nationals.
Now, after four races in the 2024 World of Outlaws CASE Late Models season, the 23-year-old driver sits 13th in points, only 18 back from fellow MD3 Rookie of the Year competitors Cody Overton and Ethan Dotson. Completing two consecutive weeks of racing with the best drivers in dirt racing, Sorensen said he’s taking time to regroup and get focused for the Series’ debut at Thunderhill Raceway in Tennessee, March 22-23.
“Florida wasn’t exactly what I wanted it to be, and we struggled,” Sorensen said. “It feels like a reset for the next race because the competition out there was crazy good. You kind’ve just take it for what it is and try to regroup for when we go to Tennessee.”
Like Volusia, Thunderhill will be another new track for Sorensen. He won’t have track time in a Modified to rely on this time, so he’s hoping advice from drivers and past videos will help him get up to speed on the 1/3-mile track.
“I honestly have never seen the place yet,” Sorensen said. “That’s really why I want to see film on it. I talked to a few other drivers about it and had to listen to what they have to say about a new place and I’m gonna go back and watch video about it. You get an idea of what to expect, but I don’t think I get too much out of film versus actually racing the place. But it’ll be another new track for me and hopefully I can adapt quickly.”
Sorensen continues his rookie tour with the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models at Thunderhill Raceway for the two-day Summertown Showdown, March 22-23. Tickets for the event can be purchased at the track. For more information, visit worldofoutlaws.com/latemodels/schedule.
If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model race live on DIRTVision.
