Racing resumed on lap 48 and when the next caution came out on lap 58, Sorenson had positioned himself to get the “Lucky Dog” pass, allowing him back onto the lead lap. Sorenson pitted again for tires, fuel and more air pressure adjustments.
The second half of the race was fairly similar to the first, with Sorenson battling handling issues and getting wrecked while trying to avoid an accident. Rather than throw in the towel, everyone on the Target team stayed focused on bringing home the best possible finish, which would end up being a 29th-place effort.
“It wasn’t the best race for us, that’s for sure, but it wasn’t a total loss either,” Sorenson said at the end of the race. “We got spun once, hit from behind trying to avoid a wreck, battled handling problems and still managed to bring home a 29th-place finish. That’s not too bad considering, and I’ve never raced here before. I learned a lot today and that should benefit us when we go to Watkins Glen.”
The Target team dropped one position in the overall standings to 21st. They are 35 points out of 20th and 173 out of 15th heading into the next event at Daytona International Raceway on July 1. Sorenson’s CGRFS teammates Casey Mears and Scott Pruett finished 20th and 30th respectively.
Reed Sorenson started the Dodge/Save Mart 250 at Infineon Raceway in 41st, driving the No. 41 Target Dodge. After a couple of red flags, two wrecks and a multitude of other on track activity, Sorenson piloted his Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) ride to a 29th-place finish. It certainly was not the day the Target team was looking for, but respectable nevertheless, especially since Sorenson had never competed at the 1.99-mile road course.
Shortly after the green flag Sorenson moved up to 39th position, narrowly missing a big accident that was just in front of him. The race was red flagged briefly for clean up and then action ensued on lap three. Sorenson moved up to 34th position before pitting under green on lap 33. Prior to the pit stop he was battling an extremely tight race car in the right hand turns that would snap loose on exit because he had the wheel turned so much. During the stop the crew bolted on four new Goodyear tires and made an air pressure adjustment to help the handling.
While exiting pit road, Sorenson was caught for speeding and commanded by NASCAR to make a pass through penalty. As a result he lost a lap to the leaders. The Target team’s troubles continued when Sorenson was hit on lap 42 by the No. 26 car. He was able to recover, however, and maintain position one lap down in 39th until the third caution on lap 46. He brought the car onto pit road for four tires, fuel and more adjustments.
