Unexpected Contact Blows Target Team's Solid Run at PIR

Reed Sorenson and the No.41 Target/Amp Energy Dodge started 12th and appeared to have a car that would contend for a solid finish on Sunday in the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, but a flat tire on lap 284 derailed the run, resulting in a 31st-place finish.

On Friday, Sorenson qualified in 12th place on the 1-mile oval.  After several strong practice sessions on Saturday, the Target Team was looking forward to a strong run in the main event Sunday.

The Georgia native maintained his starting position until the first caution on lap 20.  Sorenson radioed crew chief Donnie Wingo the car needed more grip.  During the speedy pit stop by the Target crew, Sorenson restarted third on lap 24. 

Rain put the race under red flag conditions at lap 43 for nearly 24 minutes.  When the race restarted, Sorenson was marked in seventh.  Within 20 laps, Sorenson had fallen outside of the top 10 to 13th-place.  He told his crew the car still needed more grip and was loose off in the turns. 

Reed Sorenson.  (Ganassi Racing photo)

The team continued to make major adjustments to aid in the handling of the car.  Sorenson went down a lap to the leaders on lap 114, while running 26th.  Bad luck struck the No.41 team when Kyle Busch’s Toyota made slight contact with Sorenson’s Dodge, resulting in a blown tire.  Sorenson managed to drive his car to pit road.  The team quickly worked on the damage and changed all four tires on the Target/Amp Energy car.

Sorenson returned to the track 32nd, four laps down to the leaders.  Despite several wrecks during the final 30 laps, Sorenson kept his nose clean and went on to finish 31st.

The 2008 NASCAR Cup Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway is next Sunday, Nov. 16. The event can be seen live on the ABC television network and heard on the MRN radio network at 3 p.m. EST.