Sorenson signs with Gillett Evernham

The 22-year-old will join Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler next year, although the Sprint Cup outfit have yet to name Sorenson's sponsors and car number.

But with Patrick Carpentier's future still up in the air, the American could end up replacing the Canadian in the No. 10 car.

A fourth car for GEM in the 2009 season could be the other possible scenario for Sorenson's switch to his new team.

"We will announce Reed's sponsorships and car number in the near future," said the team's CEO Tom Reddin. "He is a highly marketable young driver who knows how to win races, and has a long career full of promise ahead of him."

Sorenson is currently in his third full season in the Sprint Cup and ranks 31st in the championship. He started the season well with a fifth-place finish in the season opener at Daytona but has failed to produce consistent results, getting a sixth place at Loudon as his best finish since then.

Last year he finished 22nd in the championship, claiming pole position at Indianapolis and adding three top-five and six top-ten finishes, coming home third in the second race of the year at Atlanta, which is his best result at Cup level thus far.

"I'm pretty pumped up about this," said Sorenson. "I can't wait to get in their cars, I really believe in what they are doing with their program with all their wins and poles this year. Ray Evernham and the Gilletts are going to give us the equipment we need to go out and be a contender each weekend and eventually race for a championship."

GEM have been the leading squad among the Dodge teams this year, with Kahne winning two points races beside his All-Star Challenge victory. However, he is currently ranked 14th in the driver standings with just two races to go before the Chase starts.

Sorenson's departure leaves Chip Ganassi Racing with an opening in their 2009 line-up, which could be an opportunity for Dario Franchitti to return to NASCAR's top series next year.

The Scot is running a limited-schedule in the Nationwide series for the team and is still undecided on what his plans are for next year.