A lap after the green flag waved on lap 19, Sorenson was involved in an accident with the No. 60 car. He sustained only minor right-front fender damage, so he pitted for quick repairs and returned to competition in 40th.
The green flag flew once again on lap 23 and before the next caution on lap 39 the Target Dodge had developed a loose condition entering and exiting the corners, but remained extremely tight in the center. And so the story goes for the No. 41 Target team. The team fought the ill handling race car throughout the remainder of the event and whatever changes it made had little or no effect whatsoever. Sorenson did manage to maintain position on the lead lap en route to the 30th-place finish.
“It was just a tough weekend altogether once we wrecked the primary car,” said Sorenson after the race. “We were pretty good before that, but could never get the balance right on the backup car. It wasn’t for lack of trying though and my hats off to the Target team for giving it all they had. Hopefully we can bounce back with a good run at Watkins Glen next weekend.”
The Target team maintained 23rd position in the overall standings at the conclusion of the Indy race and are just 68 points out of 20th and 224 out of 15th heading into the next event at Watkins Glen International on Aug. 13. Sorenson’s Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates teammates David Stremme and Casey Mears finished 18th and 23rd respectively.
Reed Sorenson’s first race weekend at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway is probably one he would soon like to forget. After crashing his primary car during Friday’s second practice, the Target team was forced to use its backup car for the remainder of the weekend. The team struggled to find the balance during qualifying, the remaining practice sessions and the race itself, and as a result Sorenson crossed the finish line in 30th.
The first of seven caution periods began on lap two of the 160-lap event. After starting the race in 41st, Sorenson was able to race up to 35th but commented that the Target Dodge had absolutely no front grip. He brought the car onto pit road for a round of service that included air pressure adjustments, and returned to competition in 33rd.
Racing resumed on lap six and remained under green until NASCAR threw a competition caution on lap 15. There had been some questionable tire wear leading up to the race, so the caution gave the teams a chance to check the tires before a potential lengthy green-flag run. Still experiencing a tight condition in the corners, Sorenson pitted for tires, fuel and wholesale changes including a wedge adjustment and the removal of a spring rubber from the left rear.
