Reed Sorenson and the Target team fought a tight handling race car and overcame a one-lap deficit to the leaders to finish 21st in the caution-filled Crown Royal 400 at Richmond International Raceway (RIR). In the opening laps the Target Dodge was slightly loose entering the corners, but primarily tight in the center of the corner. After a few chassis adjustment calls by crew chief Jimmy Elledge, however, the car came to life and for a majority of the second half of the race Sorenson was as fast or faster than the lead cars.
Unfortunately the team lost a lap after an extended green-flag run and round of green-flag pit stops around lap 200. Sorenson fought hard to regain position back on the lead lap, and after a couple of cautions and some fast pit stops, Sorenson was rewarded with the “Lucky Dog” pass with approximately 50 laps remaining. With new life and a fast race car, the team was poised to make a run for the top 15. In the closing laps though, Sorenson radioed in that something felt strange with front suspension. He wasn’t able to gain any positions, but did manage to finish on the lead lap and take the checkered flag in 21st.
The solid performance at RIR moved the Target team up three positions to 26th in the overall NEXTEL Cup Series standings. The team sits just 27 points out of 25th and 119 out of the top 20.
The 400-lap race was postponed on Saturday evening due to rain and eventually started at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. There were 14 cautions for a total of 80 laps. The Target team pitted a total of eight times, once under green flag conditions. The time of race was 3 hrs, 17 mins, 13 secs.
Sorenson and the No. 41 Target team head to Darlington Raceway next for the Dodge Avenger 500. The race will be broadcast Saturday, May 12, on FOX, MRN radio and Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 128 (LIVE, 7 pm ET).
Reed's Richmond Quotes: “These (CoT) things are hard to drive. There is a fine line and if you get on the brakes a little too hard or step on the throttle just a fraction too early it messes up your lap. We started out a little off on the setup, but Jimmy (Elledge) made some good adjustments and it was pretty good from about mid-race on. We were as fast as the leaders and I ended up passing the (No.) 24 while racing to get my lap back and he finished fourth. I’m not sure what happened with the front of the car at the end of the race, but it had a terrible vibration and it was all I could do to finish. The car was definitely better than where we finished, and I feel like we’re making strides on getting the handle with this new car. We’ll just have to keep working on it.”
