After a hard day dodging fiery cars and flying tires, NASCAR driver Reed Sorenson looks forward to relaxing at home — his 45-foot-long, 46,000-pound, luxury motor home.

Becky Stein/Special (ENLARGE)

Driver David Stremme says he spends more time in his RV than at home.

Becky Stein/Special (ENLARGE)

This is driver Reed Sorenson's second RV, and it's a step up from his last one.

Sorenson parked his American Coach in the infield during the recent Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It's a familiar site to NASCAR lovers, but for those outside the race world, here's the 411: NASCAR drivers usually stay in the motor coaches parked in the track's infield. Fans can park their RVs there too, but the drivers are segregated in a secure, gated area.

Sorenson estimated that some of the motor coaches used by team owners and drivers cost as much as $2 million. He paid about $500,000 for his luxury ride. (He can afford it. The 21-year-old Sorenson earned $203,533 last week after placing third. The prize is based on several variables and is split among the driver, the team and crew.)

Don't look for plaid curtains or laminated counters in this ride. Sorenson describes his style as modern. Details include heated marble tile floors, leather sectionals, satin finish sconces, granite counters and a flat-screen television in the master bathroom.

Out of 36 races a year, he takes the motor coach to 28 of them. Each race requires about a four-day stay. His team doesn't drive to the West Coast races because the coach gets only four miles per gallon, not to mention the long drive.

This is Sorenson's second RV, a step up from his last one.

"It's just a lot bigger and a lot nicer," he said.

He's had as many as eight people in the motor home at the famed Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. "All my buddies from back home," said the Peachtree City native.

Beyond size, what's special about these high-end trailers are the custom details.

Sorenson chose light-colored cabinets to contrast with his black sofas. He especially likes the half-bath between the living area and the bedroom.

"You can close off the bedroom and people out here can still use the bathroom. It gives you more privacy," he said.

The queen-size Sleep Number bed (his sleep number is 40, by the way) provides a good night's rest as well as quick naps between pre-race obligations. Sorenson is racing around even when he's off the track, signing autographs for fans and attending media interviews.

He appreciates the motor coach's light-blocking windows as well as accent lighting. Besides, Sorenson says, "When it's dark outside, it looks cool."

The motor coach also features a washer and dryer, a perk for his driver and "road Dad," Joe Pendrak. The retired Daytona police officer drives, shops, cleans and keeps Sorenson on schedule.

The motor coach may not hug the curves like Sorenson's Dodge Charger — which can reach speeds of 190 mph — but Pendrak says it "drives like a Cadillac."

Pendrak also is in charge of keeping the motor coach washed. That chore has became more difficult in drought-stricken Georgia. He had to wash the giant by hand, using a bucket of water and no hose.

At every track, Pendrak stocks the full-sized refrigerator with fresh food.

"This is more like my (motor) coach," he joked.

Sorenson usually stays up 'til midnight or so and then sleeps in unless he has appearances to make.

"I wake him up for practice," said Pendrak, who made tasty chocolate chip cookies when they were at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Pendrak has also driven motor coaches for Casey Atwood, Dale Earnhardt Inc., and a Busch car owner.

Brad Sorenson, Reed's dad, said drivers like the convenience of taking the motor coach to the track.

"Sometimes it's hard at hotels to get from there to your car right away," Brad Sorenson said. "This way, you're not stuck in traffic somewhere."

Outside the motor coach, drivers and their families and friends gather under the awning. Sorenson has a grill that gets a lot of use and a flat-screen TV that swings out of the storage door so no one misses a minute of SPEED TV.

Sorenson's coach is red, silver and black, similar to the colors of his sponsor, Target.

The coach has two slide-outs. "When it's all closed, it's pretty small. I've ridden down to Daytona in it," Sorenson said.

In addition to the RV and their personal cars, the drivers also bring golf carts to the races to get around and visit fans.

Sorenson and teammate David Stremme were parked next to each other in the infield during the recent Atlanta race.

Stremme, a South Bend, Ind., native who drives the Coors Light car, placed 39th in Atlanta last weekend. His RV's special feature? An xBox for downtime.

Stremme's color palette includes cream-colored sectionals and cherry cabinets. His kitchen features Corian counters and stainless steel appliances. He also opted for dark gray window treatments.

"We're in this more than our own home," said Stremme, who like Sorenson is young and single. "My parents can stay with me. It's a place to relax and get away from everything."

MOTOR HOME HIGHLIGHTS:

• Some luxury motor coaches are 45-feet long and can weigh up to 46,000 pounds.

• Owners can pick out every detail from the color of the sconces to adding a flat-screen television in the master bathroom.

• Motor coach drivers, whose role also includes assistant, housekeeper and cook, don't need a special license to operate the motor coach.

RELATED LINKS

• Photos: See more of these RVs

• Previous Private Quarters

• Home & Garden

• ajchomefinder.com

• 2007 Home Sales Report

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