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BobbyHamiltonRacing.com |
| Runner Up Finish for Setzer After Starting on the Pole in Gateway 09-06-2008 | Gateway, IL
Dennis Setzer No.18 Royal Gate Dodge Ram Camping World 200 Gateway International Raceway Gateway, IL. (September 6, 2008) – After enduring a week of significant changes to the race team, Dodge Driver Dennis Setzer headed to St. Louis ready to prove to the critics that the Bobby Hamilton Racing was as strong as ever. The Royal Gate Dodge Racing Team unloaded a lighting fast No. 18 Dodge in practice on Friday. Setzer entered qualifying on Saturday morning with renewed confidence and surprised the field as he cranked out the fastest lap of the day. It was the team’s first pole since 2006 and Setzer’s since 2001. Once the race was underway Setzer continued to prove he had a powerhouse underneath him as he ran in the top 10 all but 10 laps of the 160-lap event. Crew Chief Marcus Richmond made the call on the final pit stop to take right side tires only which catapulted Setzer into the second spot. Following the restart Setzer regained the lead for several laps, but was unable to hold off the fast charging second place driver Ron Hornaday Jr. who took four tires on the last pit stop. Setzer held on to pull off an exciting second place finish. It was the team’s third top five of the season and Setzer’s fourth runner-up finish at the Gateway International Raceway. The No. 18 Dodge Ram Race Recap · Setzer posted the eighth fastest time in the first practice on Friday afternoon and after several changes he improved tremendously to post the second fastest time in the final practice later that evening. After going out late in qualifying Setzer shocked the rest of the field by posting the fastest time of the day. A speed of 132.638mph earned Setzer his first pole since 2001 and the team’s first pole since March 2006.· Following the drop of the green flag second place starter, Hornaday Jr., jumped to the outside of the No. 18 Dodge Ram taking the top spot as the two entered the back stretch. Setzer fell to second spot, but kept Hornaday Jr. within striking distance. "You are the fastest truck on the track," radioed Richmond on lap three. "Find your rhythm, you have no pressure from behind."· "It is tight in the center and loose off," the North Carolina native radioed in while running third on lap 20. Richmond advised him to turn the right front bead blowers on to help with the loose condition.· The second of eight cautions waved on lap 22 for a spin in turn three. Richmond made the call to bring Setzer down pit road for service. The Dodge Racing Team changed right side tires and added fuel before sending the No. 18 Dodge back onto the track. Setzer restarted seventh on lap 25 because several competitors in front of him elected not to pit or took fuel only.· By lap 28 Setzer had already made his way back into the top five. "I need to turn a little better coming off turn four," he radioed into Richmond. "You are still the fastest truck on the track," Richmond said. "Keep up the good work."· Setzer used his veteran driving skills to maneuver past the competitors in front of him. He was running third when the third caution came out on lap 61 for debris.· Setzer made his way down pit road with the majority of the field for service. The Dodge Racing team encountered a problem with the jack as they changed all four tires and packed it full of fuel. Due to the jack malfunction Setzer restarted in the 13th position.· Setzer once again proved he had a rocket ship under him as he ticked off competitors one by one. He had moved into eighth spot by lap 100.· Several laps later another caution waved for debris on lap 104. "We are going to come in and take right side tires for track position," called Richmond from the pit box. The Dodge Racing Team methodically changed right side tires and added more fuel in only nine seconds.· Setzer returned to the track in third position, but was able to move into the second spot when the leader was sent to pit road for a penalty just before the restart.· On lap 110 Setzer jumped to the inside of the race leader to regain the lead spot with only 50 laps remaining in the event.· Two laps later the caution came out again for a multi-truck wreck in turn three. "It is really strong," said Setzer as he led the field under the caution.· On lap 120 he brought the field down as the race restarted. Setzer got a great jump on the restart, but second place Hornaday Jr. was right on his bumper.· In just 10 laps Hornaday Jr. had caught the No. 18 Dodge. Setzer used both the inside and outside lane in attempt to block him, but was unsuccessful. Hornaday Jr.’s four tires proved to be too much for Setzer’s Dodge Ram to hold off.· In the final laps of the event Setzer, who had no pressure from the third place driver, held Hornday Jr. within striking distance, but came home in the runner up spot. The stellar second place finish was the team’s third top-five of the season and Setzer’s fourth runner up finish at Gateway.Hornaday Jr. went on to win the Camping World 200. Setzer finished second, Johnny Benson, Todd Bodine, and Jack Sprague followed in the top five.
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