Reed Sorenson and the No. 32 Dollar General team unloaded their Chevrolet with high expectations for another solid weekend after posting three consecutive top-10 finishes in the past three weekends. Through their only practice, the team worked on the front end of the car, attempting to make it turn better in the corners, a problem that would unfortunately follow them to the race Friday night. After posting a 15th-place qualifying position for the Bubba Burger 250, Sorenson battled the handling on his Dollar General Chevy, but fought through to finish a respectable 12th-place. Sorenson dropped one spot in the championship point standings, but remains fifth, 13 points out of first place which is solidly occupied by Turner Motorsports teammate, Justin Allgaier.
From the drop of the green flag, Sorenson was able to advance one position from his 15th-place starting spot, and remained in the top-15 through green-flag pit stops on lap 93. He was battling issues in the front end of his Dollar General Chevy and crew chief Trent Owens called for a bevy of adjustments, including air pressure, adding a spring rubber as well as a track bar adjustment. Sorenson would move up to the 12th spot before the first caution flag of the evening was waved on lap 123. Owens called his driver back down pit road for four fresh tires and fuel as well as another air pressure adjustment. He rejoined the field in 17th as some competitors remained on track to take advantage of NASCAR’s wave around rule.
The adjustments helped Sorenson slightly as he began to creep forward through the field. By lap 185, he had climbed to the 13th position. Green-flag pit stops began shortly thereafter on lap 196. Owens kept his driver on track as long as possible, hoping for a caution, as the Dollar General Chevy was scored in the eighth spot by lap 220. When the team couldn’t wait any longer, Sorenson came down pit road on lap 222 for a quick tire change and splash of fuel. He rejoined the field in 19th.
The caution was waved on lap 243 and after some debate, Sorenson did not pit, but rather took advantage of the wave around rule as he had fallen off the lead lap. The green was shown for the final time on lap 249 with Sorenson in 14th. Just before the checkered flag was to wave, the caution came out instead, but the field was frozen because it had taken the white flag. As the accident happened in front of the Dollar General Chevy, Sorenson advanced to 12th where he finished the race.
“We really struggled today with the handling on our Dollar General Chevy,” Sorenson said after the race. “Trent [Owens, crew chief] and I are just kind of baffled. We worked really hard in practice on getting some more grip and thought we had it figured out for the race. This whole team did everything we could and fortunately came away with a 12th-place finish. The guys did a great job on pit road too- especially with the majority of our stops being under green-flag conditions. All we can do is head to Darlington next weekend with the same energy and determination and hopefully come away with a different result.”
Next Stop: The NASCAR Nationwide Series makes the short trip to Darlington Raceway for a second week of Friday night racing on May 6th. The Royal Purple 200 will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and MRN Radio affiliates. LIVE coverage of the race begins at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
Reed In the Top 15 at Richmond
#32 Dollar General Chevrolet
