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Bobby Hamilton Racing - Dodge
Motorsports |
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Handling Issues Rob Setzer and Team of Top-10 Finish in New Hampshire |
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09-15-2008 Loudon, NH |
Printable Version
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Dennis Setzer
No.18 AutoServNH.com Dodge Ram
Camping World RV Rental 200
New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Loudon, NH. (September 15, 2008) – The No. 18 AutoServNH.com Racing Team continued to display consistency as they unloaded fast off the trailer at New Hampshire Motor Speedway posting the eighth fastest time in the first practice. Then on Saturday because of afternoon showers qualifying was canceled and the starting lineup was set according to points. Setzer started 10th on Saturday afternoon, but an extremely tight Dodge Ram derailed the team’s effort of a third straight top-10 finish. He salvaged a 16th place finish despite the handling issues.
The No. 18 Dodge Ram Race Recap
· Setzer started the event in the 10th position after qualifying was rained out due to a series of afternoon showers. The field was set by the current owners point standings per the NASCAR rule book.
· Once the race was underway Setzer radioed in, "It is very tight in the center," he said under the first caution on lap six for an accident in turn four. Crew Chief Marcus Richmond advised him to turn off his right rear bead blower to help with the tight condition. He restarted in 11th spot.
· Setzer continued to struggle with the No. 18 Dodge as the laps ticked away. On lap 31 he was running 16th when he radioed into Richmond once again, "It is plowing really bad," he said. "It is tight in the center and loose off." Richmond agreed and assured his driver he would fix it on the first pit stop.
· The third caution waved on lap 50 for an accident in turn three. Setzer hit pit road for service. The Dodge Racing Team made a plethora of changes during the stop. They changed all four tires, added fuel, went up four rounds on the track bar and added a rubber in the right rear to help fix the tight condition. He restarted in 16th position.
· The tight condition persisted despite the changes and Setzer continued to lose spots. He was running 18th on lap 76 when he radioed Richmond with an update. "It is loose coming off the straightaway and terrible tight in the center," Setzer said.
· By lap 105 Setzer had fallen to 21st position due to the ill handling Dodge Ram. Green flag pit stops began to take place on lap 125, but Setzer was able to stay out until lap 132. He hit pit road for right side tires, fuel and another wedge adjustment. He returned to the track in 22nd position.
· Several laps after the pit stop Setzer was unable to hold off the charging leader and fell one lap down to the field.
· Another caution came out on lap 153 for an accident on in turn three. Richmond made the call to bring Setzer back down pit road for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment to help the tight condition. He remained in 22nd spot.
· Setzer continued to struggle as the laps ticked away. Thankfully, another caution waved on lap 173 allowing the Dodge Racing Team to work on the No. 18 Dodge Ram once again. They made several wedge adjustments and a shock adjustment before sending Setzer back to race. He restarted in 21st position still one lap down to the leader.
· An accident in turn two on lap 182 which brought out the seventh caution finally turned things around for the team. Setzer was the first truck a one lap down and was awarded the lucky dog award allowing him to return to the lead lap. Before the field restarted Setzer came down pit road for a track bar adjustment. He restarted in the 21st spot with less than 20 laps remaining in the event.
· The adjustments began to work for the No. 18 Dodge in the final laps. Setzer passed five trucks in the final laps to come home a hard fought 16th place finish.
Ron Hornaday Jr. went on to win the Camping World RV Rental 200. Johnny Benson finished second, Travis Kvapil, Erik Darnell, and Rick Crawford followed in the top five.
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