Last season Reed Sorenson claimed his first career win in the ARCA RE/MAX Series on the two-mile Michigan International Speedway. So returning to the track meant nothing but positive things for the Discount Tire Co. team as they looked to rebound after a disheartening finish just one week ago in Watkins Glen.
Entering Michigan Reed had not only his 2004 ARCA win under his hat but he and crew chief Brian Pattie also had recent memories of a two-day test session to ponder.
Benefiting from the extra track time Sorenson sailed his No. 41 Dodge into the second and seventh positions following Friday’s two practice sessions.
Early Saturday morning rain clouds covered the speedway – an ominous sign of things to come later in the day.
Track drying took place but the schedule was tight due to both the Busch and Nextel Cup Series having intentions to qualify. Busch time trials were wiped out and Reed was handed an acceptable fourth place starting position based on the 2005 owner’s points prior to the weekend.
Things got underway a few minutes behind schedule due to the rain and sure enough, a caution flag fell early, on lap four.
“It feels pretty good. I think we’ll be pretty good here,” Reed radioed to Pattie.
Two more caution flags fell early into the event, on lap 38 and 10 laps later on lap 48.
The action-halting flags were a plus for the Discount Tire Co. team after Reed told Pattie, “I can’t get in the corners it’s breaking loose.”
After adjustments to fix the car’s loose handling and an extra stop to fill up on fuel, Sorenson lined the No. 41 up in the 26th spot for the restart on lap 53.
30 laps later the day’s only green flag exchange of pitstops took place and by that time Sorenson reported the car to be a little tight after the earlier adjustments.
“Free it up a little bit,” he requested.
While the leaders one by one dropped down pitroad the Discount Tire Co. Dodge found itself poised atop the scoring pylon on lap 94. One lap later Reed made his entrance on to pitroad for his final stop of the day.
After getting back on track then leader Greg Biffle had a half straightaway lead over Sorenson, leaving him one lap down.
By lap 107 of the 125-lap race Pattie told his driver, “You were the fastest car on track that lap.”
Within laps Sorenson’s fresh tires kicked in as his hotrod made the move on Biffle to reclaim the one lap deficit.
The caution flag was then displayed on lap 111 giving Sorenson one more opportunity to drop to the attention of the Discount Tire Co. crew if necessary.
“It feels good. We only have 12 more laps - let’s leave it alone,” he insisted.
Sitting in 12th at the restart Sorenson relayed to his crew that he was doing all he could to gain more track position.
“I’m driving this thing as had as I can,” he said.
The restart fell on lap 113 giving Reed just 12 more trips around the two-mile oval. Unfortunately a better finish just wasn’t meant to be as the engine let go in turn three.
Although the last two weeks have been tough, overall the year has been strong for the Discount Tire Co. team. In fact, Sorenson has held steady in the top three in the point standings since the sixth event of the season, Nashville, when he claimed the win.
Next week the No. 41 Discount Tire Co. crew will return to the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile,” The Bristol Motor Speedway.
In the spring event Reed dug in and finished a strong third.
“The track is pretty neat. I’ve run short tracks my whole life - it's just a different kind of short track. It’s really fun to race on,” Reed said. “You have to hit it perfect to pass somebody clean. It’s one of those places where track position is really important.”
