Rain and huge multi-car wrecks sum up the weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Unfortunately, luck was not on Reed Sorenson’s side this weekend in the Coke Zero 400.
Sorenson was strong in Round 1 of qualifying, sitting second on the charts with a time of 45.176 seconds and 199.221 mph. Rain moved in and cancelled the final rounds of qualifying, putting Sorenson’s No. 36 Golden Corral Chevrolet on the outside front row for the prestigious Coke Zero 400. This was the first appearance on the front row for Tommy Baldwin Racing in their five-year history.
After being postponed Saturday night, Sunday morning’s race started again with rain threatening the outcome of the day. As David Gilliland took the green flag for the Coke Zero 400, Sorenson held position and raced in the front battling alongside him for the lead.
The first rain delay came early, Lap 7 a red flag was displayed for over 25 minutes as Turn 2 was drenched with showers. Restarting the race at Lap 13, Sorenson was in third position and again was showing that he was anxious to get to the front. Caution flew at Lap 21 as a 17-car wreck wadded up the cars of Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart to name a few. With no damage, Sorenson charged on and would restart in fifth after the cleanup. Taking the lead at Lap 29, Sorenson led a season high four laps.
Early good fortune faded as the second “big one” unfolded at Lap 99. A 26-car wreck swept up the field and Sorenson was involved. Despite attempts at repairs, the race was called for rain at Lap 111 and Reed Sorenson finished p33.
“I am really proud of all my guys this weekend,” Sorenson said post-race. “We had a great Golden Corral Chevrolet, even got to lead a couple of laps there for a while. This definitely is not how we wanted the afternoon to end. I was hoping it would have stayed green for a little bit longer, so we could have gone out and run a couple more laps.”
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