Sorenson Drafts to Seventh-Place Finish at Daytona

Results from Daytona International Speedway

1.    Kyle Busch, No. 5 Chevy
7.    Reed Sorenson, No. 41 Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit® Dodge
30.  Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 7, 2007)-Reed Sorenson and the No. 41 Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit team had a strong race car in the Winn Dixie 250 at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) Saturday morning and they showcased it by finishing seventh at the end of the 100-lap event.  After starting 10th, Sorenson methodically worked his way around the 2.5-mile superspeedway, spending most of his time in the outside draft, which is where his car felt most comfortable. 

The race was originally set to run on Friday evening, but rain showers washed out any hopes of that happening.  Rather than postpone the event until Sunday, NASCAR opted to start the event at 9 a.m. ET Saturday. 

Sorenson commented during the opening laps his Juicy Fruit Dodge was loose entering the corners, but too tight to keep the throttle down in the center of the corner and exiting.  Crew chief Brad Parrott took the opportunity to pit during a competition caution on lap 20 to make air pressure and a track bar adjustments.  Afterwards, Sorenson commented the car was mainly just too loose, so Parrott reversed the prior adjustments and made another air pressure change during the third caution period on lap 73 to prepare Sorenson for his final charge to the checkered flag.

The racing was intense in the closing laps, and Sorenson kept his bright yellow Dodge planted firmly inside the lead draft throughout.  Riding just inches from the outside retaining wall, he battled his way to the finish line to grab seventh place, which marked his second-consecutive top-10 race.  Sorenson’s teammate Juan Pablo Montoya finished 30th.

The No. 41 team now stands 22nd in the overall Busch Series owner points, with a current tally of 1,865.  The team is just two points outside of the top 20 and 168 out of 10th place.  

The Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit team heads to Chicagoland Speedway next for the USG Durock 300 on July 14.  The race is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC.

CGRFS Driver Quoteboard

Reed Sorenson:  “It was a strong run for us today.  Brad (Parrott) made some good calls on pit road and the car was really good at the end, especially on the high side.  I had trouble staying on the gas on the inside groove, but the car was really strong up high.  It was a little loose, but really fast.  I had a lot of fun today and I’m looking forward to hopefully keeping this top-10 streak alive next week at Chicagoland in Wrigley’s backyard.”