Sorenson Finishes 26th at New Hampshire

Results from New Hampshire

1.  Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Chevrolet
19.  Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge
26.  Reed Sorenson, No. 41 Target Dodge
27.  David Stremme, No. 40 Coors Wide Mouth Can Dodge

LOUDON, N.H. (July 1, 2007)-Reed Sorenson and the No. 41 Target Dodge came into New Hampshire International Speedway ready to race on Friday as they practiced inside the top 10 and scored a third-place starting position for the Lenox Industrial Tools 300.  Then, just five laps into their Sunday drive the team realized the No. 41 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) Dodge was lacking the strength it showed earlier in the weekend and thus as the race progressed the team’s run regressed.  They eventually called it a day in 26th place. 

Crew chief Jimmy Elledge called for multiple adjustments in the pits throughout the 300-lap competition to try to help Sorenson with a stubborn-handling No. 41 Dodge.  The young racer told his crew early into his run the car felt like it didn’t want to turn as it seemed to just “plow” all the way around the 1.058-mile oval.  Initially, the team opted for air pressure adjustments and fresh tires to try to fix the issue, but quickly realized they would need to make more changes to resolve the extreme, tight-handling condition. 

Therefore, on lap 122 under the third yellow flag condition of the race, Elledge called Sorenson to pit so the team could change the right front shock on the red and white Dodge.  Elledge himself went over the wall to help with the major adjustment but unfortunately the team fell one lap down in the process.  As racing resumed on lap 130, the No. 41 was scored in 36th place.

Sorenson didn’t give up.  From there, he proceeded to pick up almost 10 spots under green.  The over-the-wall Target crew also helped him with his on-track advancement by pulling an impressive green-flag, four-tire, fuel stop on lap 195.  Just past the 200th circuit, Sorenson was running inside the top 30 and feverishly working toward the lucky dog position that would return him to the lead lap. 

The fifth yellow flag of the race waved on lap 253.  Elledge called the 21-year-old driver to the pits for a quick four-tire stop.  Sorenson entered the pits 29th and exited 27th.  He was now the first car one lap down, in the lucky dog spot and loaded with four fresh tires.  Racing resumed on lap 259 and then another yellow flag flew just one lap later, which meant Sorenson was now back on the lead lap.

In the final 38 circuits, Sorenson held his position to finish the trying day in 26th place.  His teammates Juan Pablo Montoya and David Stremme finished 19th and 27th respectively. The Target team currently stands 27th in the overall NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series ranks, just 57 points out of the top 25 and 196 out of the top 20.

Sorenson and the No. 41 Target team will be making their second trip to Daytona International Speedway next weekend to kick off the second half of the 2007 season.  The Pepsi 400 is set to go green at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TNT (Live, 6:30 p.m. ET), MRN radio and Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 128.

CGRFS Driver Quoteboard

REED SORENSON:  “This was a pretty disappointing run.  After doing so well on Friday and then to run like this today, it just doesn’tadd up.  It could’ve been a lot worse though and I realize that.  I am glad we were able to finish and every weekend we are learning more and more about the CoT car and showing improvement.  We’ll get it.  It’s just a matter of time.”