Target Team’s Tank Runs Dry Just Two Laps Shy of Victory

Reed Sorenson and the Target Team rolled the dice at California Speedway, and they almost hit it big. After pitting for fuel and tires during what would be the final caution of the race, and then topping off the gas tank prior to the next green flag, Sorenson and crew tried to stretch the fuel for 108 miles to capture their first victory. The Target team took the lead with 10 laps remaining in the Sony HD 500 and appeared to be headed for victory, but their hopes, and fuel cell, ran dry with just two laps remaining. Sorenson would eventually take the checkered flag in 21st.

Sorenson took the initial green flag in 34th and quickly showed his hand to the competition, racing up to 23rd prior to the first of seven caution periods on lap nine. He radioed in that the Target Dodge lacked overall grip, but that he felt the handling would improve after the sun set and the track temperature cooled. He pitted for four tires, fuel and minor adjustments to the chassis.

Sorenson’s charge towards the front resumed on lap 13 and before the next caution on lap 28 he had overtaken 16th position. He pitted again for tires and fuel and return to the 2-mile speedway in 14th.

The Target team went on to remain in the top 15 for a majority of the 250-lap event, racing up to as high as 11th place on lap 164. As the race pressed on Sorenson became a legitimate top-10 contender.

When the seventh caution flag flew on lap 190, crew chief Jimmy Elledge began crunching the numbers. He knew if the team topped the Target Dodge off with fuel just prior to the next green flag on lap 195 that they would be two laps short of making it the remainder of the race without stopping again. Only a few others were trying the same strategy, so it was worth the risk to try and stretch the fuel or hope for a late caution that would give Sorenson excellent track position for a final shootout to the finish. The caution didn’t come, and while leading the race by six seconds with just two laps remaining, the Target Dodge hit empty and Sorenson coasted to the finish in 21st.

“I’m a little disappointed because we were definitely better than a 21st-place car,” Sorenson said. “It was at the point in the race where we had to take the gamble. The numbers said we were two laps short, but it was worth a shot. Jimmy and I discussed it and we decided to go for it. The way it was all playing out we were probably going to finish around 15th, so it was definitely worth the risk. It didn't quite work out, but those are the breaks sometimes. We put ourselves in position to win and that is all you can ask for.”

The Target team dropped one position to 23rd in the overall standings. They are now 99 points out of 20th and 196 out of 15th heading into the 26th race of the season at Richmond International Raceway on Sept. 9. Sorenson’s Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates teammates Casey Mears and David Stremme finished 14th and 36th respectively.