Reed Sorenson jumped back behind the wheel of the No. 30 Rexall Chevrolet for Kentucky Speedway's inaugural triple-header weekend. After struggling in Thursday's first practice session, the team hit the track on Friday and found what they were looking for to improve the handling on the Rexall Impala. After starting from the 11th spot, the race came down to fuel mileage with Sorenson being forced to pit in the closing laps, relegating the No. 30 team to a 17th-place finish.

The Nationwide Series teams hit the track on Thursday evening for one practice session which left the No. 30 team struggling to perfect the handling on their Chevy. Continuing the theme of rain delayed race weekends, weather in the area forced NASCAR to delay and shorten Friday morning's final practice session. Getting in about 20 minutes of practice, Sorenson reported the changes the team had made over night had significantly improved the Rexall Impala's handling condition. A few hours later, Sorenson qualified in the 11th position to start the Feed the Children 300.

The race began with Sorenson reporting a loose in, tight off the corner handling condition which would persist the whole race. When the first caution flag was displayed on lap 43, crew chief Stewart Cooper called for Sorenson to come into the pits for four tires, fuel, wedge and air pressure adjustments. He restarted in the 13th position, quickly taking over the 12th spot. Sorenson continued to race just outside the top-15, weathering another caution period, while his loose in and tight off condition persisted. On lap 100 when another caution flag was displayed, Sorenson was called to the pits for four tires, fuel, wedge and air pressure adjustments. Unfortunately, after a late call for an adjustment, and being pitted in the first pit stall off of the race track, the pit crew was unable to remove the wrench from the back window. Sorenson was forced to return to pit road to remove the wrench, starting from the tail end of the longest line upon the restart.

Making the best of the situation, Sorenson quickly jumped back up to the 13th spot, catching a lucky break when another caution flag was displayed just two laps later, allowing him to catch back up with the lead lap cars. When another caution flag was displayed on lap 133, Cooper called for a two tire stop, propelling Sorenson inside the top-10 for the restart. Continuing to battle for position and not able to save enough fuel, Sorenson was forced to come to pit road for fuel only on lap 189, while some other competitors were able to stretch their mileage. The pit strategy relegated the No.30 to 17th-place finish. 

Next Stop:  The NASCAR Nationwide Series teams head up north next weekend for the New England 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Saturday afternoon race will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and PRN radio affiliates with coverage beginning at 3:30 pm ET.

Fuel Mileage Reigns Supreme for Sorenson

at Kentucky

#30 Rexall Chevrolet