Dennis Setzer 
No. 18 Fastenal Dodge Ram Race Recap
The Casino Arizona 150
Phoenix International Raceway

Fastenal driver Dennis Setzer drove a smart race  during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Casino Arizona 150 at Phoenix International Raceway Friday night. After qualifying in the 31st position Setzer knew he had his work cut out for him. Using his savvy driving skills he worked his way through the field.  Despite a loose truck the North Carolina native not only rebounded by finishing ninth, but even ran second to teammate Mike Bliss several laps during the course of the event. The strong finish allowed Setzer to gain valuable points in the final season point standings. He is now only nine points outside the top 10 heading into the final race at Homestead.

By lap five Setzer had moved up five spots into the 26th position. “It is pretty loose,” said Setzer. Then shortly after that while running 22nd, the fourth caution waved just 37 laps into the event.

Crew Chief Jeff White made the call to bring Setzer down pit road for service. The Fastenal Racing Team went to work making an air pressure adjustment, changing two tires and adding fuel. He restarted in the 21st position.

Another caution waved just four laps after the restart. “I think it is a little bit better,” said Setzer under the caution. The field restarted on lap 50 and the next caution waved six laps later for an accident on the frontstretch.

White decided to bring Setzer back down pit road for service, out of sequence with the rest of the field. The Fastenal Racing Team cranked out a fast pit stop changing all four tires, adding fuel and adding three rounds of wedge in the left rear to tighten up the Dodge. He restarted in the 29th position.

Setzer was running in the 23rd spot when the next caution waved 12 laps after the restart. Almost the entire lead pack headed to pit road. “We are good on fuel,” said White. “We need to stay out and gain track position.” Setzer did just that and lined up second behind teammate Mike Bliss for the restart on lap 74.

“I really need forward bite,” said Setzer on lap 90 while running in the third position. “It seems to be going away.” White encouraged Setzer to stay after it and get all he could out of the truck. By lap 96 he dropped to sixth position.

As the laps winded down Setzer was able to stay inside the top 10 even though the Fastenal Dodge continued to be loose off the corners.   Setzer scored a ninth-place finish and gained valuable points for the 10th position in the NCTS final point standings. It was his fourth top-10 finish in six races with Bobby Hamilton Racing.

Kyle Busch won The Casino Arizona 150 before an estimated crowd of 30,000. Ron Hornaday Jr., Mike Bliss, Jason Leffler and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top five. The final event for the NCTS will be at Miami-Homestead Speedway on Friday night.