FUEL MILEAGE RACE RESULTS IN 35TH-PLACE FINISH FOR SORENSON

Reed Sorenson and the No. 41 Target Team had their hands full for 200 laps, battling both weather conditions and a tight race car at Pocono Raceway.  The Target driver finished 35th at the 2.5-mile tri-oval Sunday afternoon.

The No. 41 Team started the 500-mile event from the 32nd position.  In the opening laps of the race, Sorenson radioed Crew Chief Donnie Wingo the car was tight.  On lap 20, NASCAR called a Competition Caution due to rain cancelling Saturday’s practice sessions.  The Target team, marked in 29th, took this time to pit, making major adjustments to the No. 41 Dodge.  Throughout a series of cautions, the team continued to make track bar and air pressure adjustments.

On lap 126, the weather conditions changed and rain started to fall on the track.  While many cars elected to pit under this caution, the Target team decided to stay out on the track, gaining valuable position, as they advanced to 15th.  Three laps later, NASCAR waved the red flag stopping the racing action for 40 minutes.  When the race restarted, Sorenson continued to run in the top 20 for several laps.

While marked 17th on lap 164, Crew Chief Donnie Wingo called Sorenson to pit road for a scheduled pit stop.  Sorenson radioed back his Dodge was out of fuel.  Losing valuable track position and one lap down to the leader, Sorenson coasted to pit road for fuel and four tires.  The 22-year-old continued to battle track position for the remainder of the event.  The Target Dodge went on to finish 35th, dropping one position—to 30th—in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Owner Points.

Next weekend the Sprint Cup Series will face their second road course race of the season as the teams head to Watkins Glen International.  Live coverage of the Centurion Boats at the Glen will start at 1 p.m. EDT on Sunday, August 10, on ESPN.

 

Reed at Pocono.  (Jason Smith/ NASCAR Photo Credit)