After starting 16th, Reed Sorenson raced up to as high as 10th place before taking the checkered flag in the 30-lap shootout otherwise known as the NEXTEL Open. The dash race is a last chance effort for teams and drivers not already in the field for the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge to make the show.
Sorenson proved that he had a fast race car, but with such a short race the probability of finishing first was not very likely. That coupled with a late race nudge from fellow competitor Robby Gordon, that dropped Sorenson from his top-10 running position, the No. 41 Target team primarily used the event as a practice session for next week’s Coca-Cola 600 at the 1.5-mile Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
“The car was really fast, but it was extremely hard to pass out there,” said Sorenson at the completion of the event. “Everyone was giving it all they had and there was some aggressive driving going on. We fell victim to that, which hurt our finishing position. There weren’t enough laps for us to get to the front, but I definitely think we could’ve finished in the top-10.
“I’m really excited about next week’s race. We’re using the same car and now we have an idea of how it handles in true race conditions. I think it’s going to be a good race for the Target team and I’m looking forward to taking the green flag.”
The 600 is the circuit’s longest event of the season and it is set to begin next Sunday, May 28 at 5:30 pm ET. The event will air live on on FOX TV and PRN radio.
