Reed Sorenson, No. 41 Target Dodge
Daytona 500 – Daytona International Speedway Advance
Team Target Fast Facts:
New Year, New Driver, New Paint Scheme: The 2006 season will boast a new look for Team Target, including the addition of rookie driver Reed Sorenson and a new paint scheme prominently displaying the bull’s eye on all sides. However, veteran Team Target crew chief Jimmy Elledge is back to call the shots atop the pit box and much of the 2005 crew, which picked up a full head of steam at the end of last season, remains intact.
Chassis: Crew Chief Jimmy Elledge and the Target Team have selected chassis #602 for the Daytona 500. This chassis was tested at the track in January and will see competition for the first time in the Gatorade Duels.
Rookie Class: Sorenson will be going head to head against one of the most talented rookie classes in recent history for the coveted Raybestos Rookie of the Year honor. Currently there are seven full-time teams with rookie drivers, one of which being Sorenson’s Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) teammate David Stremme. CGRFS also had two rookies in 2003, Jamie McMurray and Casey Mears, with McMurray ultimately capturing Rookie of the Year.
Déjà vu: Sorenson is no stranger to competing for a rookie title as he has done so in both the NASCAR Busch Series and American Speed Association (ASA). He won the ASA honor in 2003 after recording seven top-five and 14 top-10 finishes in 17 races. Sorenson was edged out slightly by NEXTEL Cup Series regular Carl Edwards for the 2005 Busch Series honor, but the rookie phenom piled up two wins, two poles, 19 top-five finishes and 22 top-10 finishes.
Double Duty: In addition to his NEXTEL Cup Series responsibilities piloting the No. 41 Target Dodge, Sorenson has signed up to run a full Busch Series season behind the wheel of CGRFS’s No. 41 Discount Tire Dodge entry.
Target Appearance: Sorenson will be signing autographs at the Daytona Beach Target store, located at 2380 West International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, Fla., on Thurs., Feb. 16 from 6:00-7:00 pm.
Discount Tire Appearance: Sorenson will be signing autographs at the Daytona Beach Discount Tire store, located at 1051 Beville Rd., Daytona Beach, Fla., on Wed., Feb. 15 from 4:30-6:00 pm.
Reed Sorenson on Daytona:
“It’s going to be an incredible feeling to take the green flag for the Daytona 500. This is the race every driver aspires to win. We had a solid test there and I think we’re going to be competitive. The car we selected was very stable in the draft and it handled pretty well, and those are two important aspects to running well at Daytona. Our goal is to complete all of the laps, make some friends out on the track and hopefully be in position for a respectable finish at the end of 500 miles. Anything can happen in a restrictor plate event, so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
Reed Sorenson on moving up to the NEXTEL Cup Series and competing for Rookie of the Year:
“Reaching the NEXTEL Cup Series level is what I’ve worked for my whole career. Being able to compete for Rookie of the Year this season is a dream come true and I’m certainly going to give it everything I have. I want the distinction of being the 2006 Rookie of the Year. Although this year’s rookie class is full of talented drivers with good teams, I feel like I’ve got the team and equipment to get the job done.
“The transition to the NEXTEL Cup Series isn’t going to be an easy one, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’ve only got two starts in a Cup car so I’ve got a tremendous amount to learn. I’ve got good teammates in Casey Mears and David Stremme to bounce things off of and (crew chief) Jimmy Elledge is one of the best in the business. He did an incredible job helping Casey develop as a driver and I’m looking forward to working with him next season and getting some of that same guidance.
“It’s going to be a busy year running both the Busch and Cup Series’, but I believe the extra seat time will help me grow as a competitor. I think the most important aspect of running both is getting familiar with the tracks because I’ve only run on most of them once or twice. There is no substitute for track time. Also, I think both teams will be able to feed off of each other and much of what works in one car will translate into the other.”
Crew Chief Jimmy Elledge on rookie Sorenson:
“I’m looking forward to working with Reed this season. I think he’s one of the most talented rookies we’ve seen come along. I worked with him some last season and he’s got a lot of potential. I’m excited about teaming up with Reed and I know everyone on the Target team is as well. I look forward to new challenges and I’m anxious to get the season underway.”
Reed Sorenson Daytona International Speedway Stats (2.5 miles)
Date Series Race Start Finish Laps Status Winnings
7/1/05 Busch Winn Dixie 250 8 20 104/104 Running $30,745
2/19/05 Busch Hershey’s Take 5 300 5 9 120/120 Running $52,575
Reed Sorenson Career Highlights
First NEXTEL Cup Series Start (Altanta, Oct. 30, 2005)
First Busch Series Win (Nashville, Mar. 26, 2005)
First Busch Series Pole (Nashville, Mar. 26, 2005)
First ARCA win (Michigan, June 2004)
2003 ASA Rookie of the Year
1998-2002 Lengends Cars: 84 wins, 152 top fives and 166 top-10 finishes in 183 starts
1997 Quarter Midgets National Champion
Target Crew:
Name
Crew position
Hometown
Jimmy Elledge
Crew Chief
Redding, Calif.
Eric Hoyle
Catch Can Man
Asheville, N.C.
Andy Graves
Team Manager
Syracuse, N.Y.
Doug Spees
Tire Specialist
Hazelton, Penn.
Tony Glover
Team Manager
Kingsport, Tenn.
Jesse Sanders
Pit Support
Coupeville, Wash.
Stephen Lane
Car Chief
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Lorin Ranier
Spotter
Prestonburg, Ken.
Bobby Burrell
Front Tire Changer
Huntersville, N.C.
Travis Alexander
Engine Specialist
Walla Walla, Wash.
Marty Forcier
Front Tire Carrier
Superior, Mich.
Tim Smith
Engineer
Cope, S.C.
Jason Sheets
Rear Tire Changer
Indianapolis, Ind.
Roger Parkinson
Pit Support
San Diego, Calif.
Alex Yonchok
Rear Tire Carrier
Syracuse, N.Y.
Rod Bussard
Transport Driver
Everett, Penn.
Shaun Peet
Jack Man
Nanaimo, B.C
Tom Czoka
Transport Driver
Concord, N.C.
Randy Hildreth
Gas Man
Charlotte, N.C.
Jeremy Crosby
Pit Support
Hickory, N.C.
