Dennis Setzer will pilot the Fastenal Dodge this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Current driver Ken Schrader returned to his cup car duties last week in New Hampshire which resulted in a logistical conflict for this weekend’s Las Vegas 350.
Setzer will be making his ninth career NASCAR start at LVMS when he pilots the No. 18 Fastenal Dodge on Saturday night. He has eight previous NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts at the 1.5-mile oval.
This weekend will be the first time Setzer has climbed behind a Dodge vehicle since 2000.
Setzer, along with several other NCTS drivers, will sign autographs at the Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel & Casino at 7pm on Friday evening.
Setzer will pilot “Timmy” this week at Vegas. Schrader drove this particular chassis at Nashville in August and Michigan in June.
Setzer on maximizing opportunities: “It’s an exciting opportunity. It gives you a chance to see what different teams do. You see new ideas and even some things you wish you would have done differently in the past. The technology in racing is always changing. So, you really have to keep up with the times or you will be behind. I think that is one reason why Bobby Hamilton Sr. was so successful. He was as old school as they come, but was willing to change with the times. He recognized that what won races five years ago was not going to win them today. He adapted well to those situations. To have the chance to compete in his equipment and work with a great sponsor like Fastenal is an honor. I am looking to make the most of this weekend for BHR and Dennis Setzer.”
Setzer on Las Vegas Motor Speedway: “I think the race will be a lot different this year than it was last year. We were the first series to race at the track since the reconfiguration. Since then both the Nextel Cup cars and Busch Series cars have tested and raced. The tire Goodyear is bringing is really hard. It almost has no grip it is so hard. The harder the tire means the less it wears down. I don’t really foresee tires playing a big part in this weekend’s race. In New Hampshire last weekend I ran my fastest lap on 120-lap old tires. I expect the same thing to happen at Vegas.”
2007 No. 18 Fastenal Dodge Team Roster
| Crew Member |
Race Day/Shop |
Hometown |
| Dennis Setzer |
Driver |
Newton, NC |
| Jeff White |
Crew Chief |
Goodlettsville, TN |
| Tony Pinkelton |
Front Tire Changer/Truck Chief |
Goodlettsville, TN |
| Jeremy Manis |
Front Tire Carrier/ Tire Specialist |
Mt. Juliet, TN |
| Chris Amos |
Rear Tire Carrier/ Gears |
Murfreesboro, TN |
| Jonathan Ellis |
Rear Tire Changer/Mechanic |
Hixson, TN |
| Bobby Riddle |
Jack Man/Dodge Engineering |
Mt. Juliet, TN |
| Mike Goins |
Catch Can Man |
Mt. Juliet, TN |
| Walter Hamilton |
Hauler Driver |
Nashville, TN |
| Mark Hancock |
Engines |
Toledo, Ohio |
