Fontana, CA. (February 25, 2008) – California wasn’t as sunny as Melling Dodge driver Dennis Setzer hoped it would be. Tremendous rain showers drenched much of the weekend forcing NASCAR to cancel Craftsman Truck Series qualifying on Friday. Setzer started 13th, but struggled during the race with a loose race truck. At the end of the race a long green flag run forced teams to pit under green with just 20 laps to go. Setzer and crew gambled to stay out as long as they could before hitting pit road. Setzer took over the lead on lap 87 and remained there until he hit pit road on lap 90. After leading the first laps for Dodge this season, he finished 16th.

The No. 18 Melling Dodge California Race Recap

•  Due to rain showers the field was set according to the 2007 NCTS Owner Point Standings. Setzer started in the 13th position.
• Once the race began Setzer radioed in, “It’s not bad. The changes we made after practice worked.”
• Debris forced the second caution of the day on lap 15. “We are going to pit,” said Crew Chief Marcus Richmond. “I am going to with two tires instead of four.” Setzer, running in the 14th spot, hit pit road and the Melling Racing Team jumped into action changing right side tires and adding fuel. The two-tire pit stop moved him into the ninth position.
• Immediately following the restart Setzer radioed in his dislike of the two tire gamble.  “The tires have no grip in turns three and four,” he said. “It makes the truck push.” By lap 25 he had fallen to the 19th position.
• He rode in the 19th position until the third and final caution came out due to debris on lap 46. Setzer came down pit road to the attention of his Melling Racing Team. They cranked out a fast pit stop changing all four tires and adding fuel.  He restarted in the 21st spot.
• Over the next 20 laps Setzer began to gain ground on the trucks in front of him. He was running in 19th on lap 80 of the 100 lap event.
• “We are going to pit with 10 to go,” said Richmond. “If the caution comes out during the cycle of pit stops then we will be golden. We have nothing to lose.”
• As other competitors hit pit road for service Setzer continued to stay out and gain positions.
  He took over the lead on lap 87. The caution the team was hoping for never came and Setzer was forced to hit pit road on lap 90. Richmond called for fuel only at the last minute. After receiving one can of fuel in the No. 18 Melling Dodge Setzer returned to the track in fifth position but as the teams cycled through he eventually settled into the 16th spot where he finished the race.
   

Kyle Busch won the San Bernardino County 200. Todd Bodine, Johnny Benson, Terry Cook and Ron Hornaday Jr. all rounded out the top five. The next event for the NCTS is March 7th at Atlanta Motor Speedway.