If a race car driver were to assume the role of a baseball pitcher and was limited to one pitch, most fans might expect to see a fastball. But when 20-year-old Presley Sorah, a Cambridge City resident, was invited by the Indianapolis Indians to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before their game on Saturday, July 6, it was because he specializes in curves.
In the March 13 issue of the Western Wayne News, we shared the story of Sorah’s rise from practicing simulated racing in his home to finding success on race tracks around the country.
This season Sorah is competing in the Automobile Racing Club of America race circuit. After testing at Daytona Motor Speedway, Sorah has raced in three ARCA races this year, competing in races at Pensacola, Florida, Nashville, Tennessee, and Newton, Iowa. The next event for Sorah on the ARCA circuit will be the Circle City 200 to be held on July 19, at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, in conjunction with the Brickyard 400 weekend.
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Sorah will appear with a display car from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 18 at Golay Community Center, 1007 E. Main St., Cambridge City.
Sorah races for Fast Track Racing, led by Andy Hillenburg, who has raced in every NASCAR division and is a former ARCA champion. Fast Track Racing is bringing five cars to Raceway Park, with Sorah piloting the number 12 Toyota. Tatanka Hot Sauce has been a sponsor for the team.
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“The team has made it so easy for me,” Sorah said. “I never go into a race where I feel like I have to perform or else. They accommodate me so much. It can be easy to watch the lead car pass you and have it kill your confidence, but then I realize they are in different circumstances with better equipment and more sponsorship money. But our team works very hard. I think we are overachievers.”
It is likely that between 30-35 cars will attempt to qualify for the race.
Sorah described the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Indians game as surreal.
“I told the catcher I was throwing so that I was a little nervous. Pitching is out of my normal line of work,” Sorah said.
When he climbs in his race car for the Circle City 200 to race before his home state fans, nerves will not be a concern for Sorah, who has a goal in mind.
“I will be stone cold and ready to race,” Sorah said. “My goal will be a Top 10 finish. If I achieve it I will be ecstatic.”
The 200-lap feature starts at 5:30 p.m.
Dan Harney contributed to this article.
A version of this article appeared in the July 17 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.