Sorenson and Target Team Can’t Catch a “Brake” in Martinsville
Reed Sorenson and the Target team’s bad luck of the month continued at Martinsville Speedway, as they experienced brake failure on lap 288 which sent the Target Dodge behind the wall for repairs. After returning to competition 40 laps down, Sorenson and crew used the remainder of the Subway 500 to test multiple chassis adjustments, preparing for events down the road. The No. 41 Target Dodge was scored with a 35th-place finish.
“We just can’t seem to catch a break this month,” said Sorenson at the completion of the 500-lap event. “It’s been a rough one, that’s for sure. We didn't have any grip during the first half of the race, but the guys kept working on it and it kept getting better. We had some brake problems in the right rear and had to go to the garage. We lost a lot of laps and just rode it out from there. Hopefully our luck will change next week.”
Prior to the brake issues, which were diagnosed as right-rear caliper failure, Sorenson mainly experienced a lack of front grip in the center of the corner and forward bite on corner exit. After starting 16th he managed to remain in the top 25, even after a substantial hit in the rear while slowing to avoid a wreck on lap three.
Sorenson first pitted for a round of adjustments during the second caution of the race on lap 64. He entered pit road in 21st and returned in 20th after a quick stop for four tires, fuel and air pressure adjustments.
Shortly after racing resumed Sorenson radioed in that the car had no grip whatsoever, so he pitted during the next caution on lap 154 for wholesale changes that included wedge and trackbar adjustments.
Sorenson took the next green on lap 161 in 20th and prior to the next caution on lap 202 he lost a lap to the leaders, still battling the handling of the race car. During the team’s pit stop, another set of major adjustments were made, most notably the removal of a spring rubber from the right rear. Sorenson returned to the track in 29th.
The Target team continued to fight for position back onto the lead lap for close to the next 100 laps before experiencing the brake problems. While in the garage for repairs, the team changed the front sway bar and shocks to help the handling. After returning to competition in 39th, Sorenson radioed in that the car was much better. He managed to gain four positions before taking the checkered flag.
The Target team maintained 25th position in the overall standings and they are now 148 points out of 20th heading into the next event at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 29. There are just four races remaining in the 2006 season.
