Reed Sorenson and the Target team started the GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in 28th. In 200 laps they were able to charge up to an eighth-place finish with a fast race car and flawless pit stops. The solid performance helped Sorenson secure Raybestos rookie-of-the-race honors for the fifth time this season in addition to propelling the Target team up two positions to 21st in the overall standings. In two NEXTEL Cup races at MIS this season Sorenson and the Target team have recorded a top-five and two top 10 finishes. Sorenson also finished seventh in Saturday’s Busch Series event.
Immediately after the drop of the initial green flag Sorenson flexed some muscle, racing from 28th to 12th in the first 40 circuits around the two-mile speedway. Battling a primarily loose race car exiting Turn 4, crew chief Jimmy Elledge took advantage of some early race cautions to make adjustments to the No. 41 Target Dodge. As soon as Sorenson and crew figured out the balance, the car took off towards the front of the pack.
Once Sorenson cracked into the top 20 for the first time on lap 16, he would fall no further back for the remainder of the event. He ran in the top 15 for a majority of the laps, only dropping outside of it during rounds of varying pit stops. Even so, he was quickly able to regain any lost positions.
As the race drew to a close the Target Dodge developed a tight condition, especially in the high groove where much of the momentum was either gained, maintained or lost. Sorenson searched around for a line that worked best and during the final 37 lap green-flag run to the finish he was able to race from 14th up to eighth.
“It was just a solid day for us altogether,” said Sorenson after climbing from his car. “The car was pretty balanced, the pit stops were great and Jimmy (Elledge) made excellent calls from atop the box.
The car started out each run really loose, but it would come around after about 10 or so laps. It was really fast until about lap 30 or so of a green
flag run and then it would get tight. We made minor changes throughout the day and eventually got the car to handle about as good as we were going to get it.
“Today was just a consistent run and something this team is capable of doing each week. We’ve got some good tracks coming up so hopefully we can do more of this and keep inching our way up in the points.”
Sorenson and crew now sit just 20 points out of 20th place and 155 out of 15th in the standings heading into the next event at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 26. Sorenson’s Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates teammates Casey Mears and David Stremme finished 16th and 28th respectively.
