10-27-2008 | Hampton, GA
Dennis Setzer
No.18 Landmark Chrysler Dodge Ram
E-Z-GO 200
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Hampton, GA . (October 27, 2008) – Dodge Driver Dennis Setzer was singing a tune of, "Mama said there’d be days like this," as he battled an extremely loose race truck during the E-Z-GO 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Setzer started the 130-lap event in ninth, but an ill-handling Dodge Ram relegated him to a 19th place finish.
The No. 18 Dodge Ram Race Recap
After substantial rain fall canceled all on-track activities on Friday for the second week in a row, the starting lineup was set according to the current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Owner Point Standings. Setzer started ninth and extended his top-10 starting streak to nine straight weeks.
"It is loose," screeched Setzer on lap four. "It is bad loose." Crew Chief Marcus Richmond assured the Dodge Driver he would tighten it up on the first pit stop.
Luckily, the first caution waved soon after on lap 17 for a spin in turn four. Richmond called Setzer down pit road for service. The No. 18 Dodge Racing Team jumped into action changed all four tires and added a rubber into the right rear. He restarted 24th.
"It is still free," Setzer said soon after the restart. NASCAR threw a competition yellow on lap 27 due to the lack of time on the track on Friday. Richmond once again brought the No. 18 Dodge back down pit road for service.
The Dodge Racing Team added fuel and two rounds of wedge to the rear of the truck. After he returned to the track Setzer came back down pit road to top off with fuel before the restart. He restarted in 24th.
As Setzer continued to struggle with the loose condition on the track, Richmond worked earnestly with crew members on possible changes and delegated numerous adjustments to his pit crew.
Setzer, while running 23rd, was unable to hold off the charging leader and fell one lap down just before the third caution waved on lap 59 for a spin in turn four.
The Dodge Racing team was poised and ready as Setzer made his way down pit road for a plethora of adjustments. They jumped into action changed all four tires, added two cans of fuel, made a track bar adjustment and pulled tape off the front end before sending Setzer back onto the track. He restarted 24th one lap down.
"It is getting a little better," said the North Carolina native on lap 89.
The fourth caution waved one lap later for debris. Setzer hit pit road for the final time. He received four fresh tires, two cans of fuel and an air pressure adjustment before restarting 19th.
The loose condition improved, but still plagued the No. 18 Dodge Racing Team for the remainder of the day. Despite running behind the 10th place truck on the track for the final laps Setzer was unable to gain his lap back. He finished 19th.
Ryan Newman went on to win the E-Z-GO 200. Ron Hornaday Jr. finished second, Denny Hamlin, Todd Bodine and Scott Speed followed in the top five.