Reed Sorenson, No. 41 Target Dodge
3M Performance 400 – Michigan International Speedway Advance – 6/18/06
Target Team Fast Facts:
Like Father, Like Son: Prior to focusing his attention on his son Reed’s racing career, Brad Sorenson was a racer himself. He began at the age of 15 competing on two wheels instead of four. Brad cut his racing teeth in motocross and competed professionally in the AMA ranks for a short period. From there, he began racing late models around the Atlanta area and even competed in one Busch Series race at Lanier National Speedway (13th-place finish). After that, his passion turned to seeing his son succeed.
Two Races, Two Different Places: Sorenson will be competing at two different tracks in two separate states again this weekend. On tap is a NEXTEL Cup event in Michigan and a Busch Series race in Kentucky. Sorenson will practice and qualify the No. 41 Target car in Michigan on Friday, fly to Kentucky for a Busch Series practice session on Friday evening, head back to Michigan for Cup practice on Saturday morning, trek back to Kentucky to qualify and race the Discount Tire Dodge on Saturday night, and then finish up the busy weekend’s activities with a 400-miler in Michigan on Sunday.
Lending Another Helping Hand: CGRFS development driver Kevin Hamlin will be on hand once again, only this weekend in Kentucky, to practice the No. 41 Discount Tire Dodge in Sorenson’s absence. He will also qualify and race the car if weather prevents Sorenson from making it to the track or postpones the Busch Series event.
Chassis: Crew Chief Jimmy Elledge and the Target Team have selected chassis #606 for this weekend’s NEXTEL Cup event at Michigan. This is a new race car this season and it has previously run at Texas (13th-place finish) and in the 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (10th).
Homeboy: Target Team front-tire carrier Marty Forcier hails from Superior, Mich.
NEXTEL Cup Points Report: Sorenson and the Target team slipped to 24th in the overall standings after their 36th-place effort in the last event at Pocono. The team is 57 points out of 20th and 160 points out of the top 15.
Rookie Round Up: Sorenson is currently tied for fourth place in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings with 119 points. He trails leader Denny Hamlin by 45 points. Sorenson has captured rookie of the race honors in two of the 13 races run thus far in ‘06 (Atlanta – 10th-place finish, Martinsville – 12th).
Busch Series Update: Sorenson is 11th in the overall Busch Series driver standings heading into this weekend’s race at Kentucky Speedway. The Discount Tire team is 41 points out of 10th and 309 out of the top five.
Reed Sorenson on Michigan…
“We had a pretty good run going at Michigan in the Busch car last season, but we had some engine problems late in the race that took us out of contention. I like the track and I’m looking forward to running there this weekend in the No. 41 Target Dodge. We’re taking the car we finished 10th with at Charlotte and I expect it to be really good when we unload on Friday. We had a rough go of it last weekend at Pocono, so I’m hoping to bounce back with a solid run this weekend.”
Sorenson’s Comments After First Non-Companion Weekend…
“Last week’s deal wasn’t that bad at all. The Busch race didn’t go all that well, but the traveling back and forth was seamless. This weekend we’re adding an extra trip because I’m going to head down to Kentucky for a Friday night practice, but other than that I assume it will be about the same. The only problems will be if it rains, but other than that I’m ready to go.”
Sorenson on Father’s Day…
“I owe a great deal to my dad. He’s been a tremendous supporter of my racing career and without his help and guidance I wouldn’t be where I am today. He put his racing career on the shelf to allow me to chase a dream and that means the world to me. He’s not as involved as he used to be, but I appreciate everything he has done for me. It sure would be nice to get a win in one of these races for him this weekend.”
