LAS VEGAS, Nev. (March 2, 2008)-Reed Sorenson and the Target crew put forth a solid effort at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in a car that was less than optimal in the handling department. After starting 35th, Sorenson battled a loose chassis until pitting under green on lap 52 for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Once the field cycled through, Sorenson was running in 21st, one-lap down and driving a car that had made a complete reversal.

Sorenson fought hard during the next run and managed to put himself in the “Lucky Dog” position and regain a place on the lead lap when the second caution of the day came out on lap 68. He pitted for tires, fuel and some adjustments to help the handling and returned to competition in 17th place.

The only constant throughout the 267-lap event was the Target Dodge was really good on the longer run and that is where Sorenson would make up the most time and positions on the track. Unfortunately, there were a considerable amount of cautions and therefore Sorenson was forced to race a fairly inconsistent car to an 18th-place finish.

There were 11 cautions for 44 laps. The Target team made seven pit stops, one of them coming under green flag conditions. The time of race was 3 hrs, 08 min and 08 sec and the average speed was 127.729 mph.

Sorenson and the Target team currently sit 18th in the overall points standings. The team is only 27 points out of 12th place – the final cutoff position for the Chase – and 170 points out of first place.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway next for the Kobalt Tools 500 on Sunday, March 9. The race is set to go green at 2 p.m. ET and will air live on FOX and PRN radio.

CGRFS DRIVER QUOTEBOARD:

Reed Sorenson: : “We had a solid run today, but we’ve still got some work to do on this car. Jimmy (Elledge) did a nice job on adjustments today, but the car was very inconsistent on the short run. It was really good on the long run, but we didn’t have too many of those. I think if the race would’ve gone green for the final 40 laps or so we would’ve been able to race into the top 15 or maybe even the top 10.”