Dennis Setzer
No.18 Power Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
Lucas Oil 150
Phoenix International Raceway

Avondale, AZ. (November 10, 2008) – Dennis Setzer, driver of the No. 18 Power Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, scored a 15th place finish in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix International Raceway. An early race incident out of Setzer’s control derailed the team’s efforts for a top 10 finish. Despite finishing outside the top-10 Setzer still remains eighth in the NCTS Championship Point Standings.

The No. 18 Dodge Ram Race Recap

Setzer laid down a speed of 129.431mph during qualifying on Friday afternoon, which garnered him 16th position.

Just after the drop of the green flag disaster struck in turn three when the leader lost control of his vehicle causing a multi-truck pile up. Setzer appeared to be clear of the wreck when another truck rolled across the track and hit the front of the Dodge Ram.

Following the incident the steering wheel was towed out one inch and the left front fender received slight damage. Setzer never made a trip down pit road, but did stop and adjust the steering wheel in turn three on lap seven. He restarted 13th.

“It is tight on entrance and exit,” said Setzer while running 15th. Crew Chief Marcus Richmond agreed and assured the veteran driver the condition was due to the No. 18 Dodge Ram being towed out.
The second caution of the night came out on lap 30 for a spin in turn two. Richmond made the call to bring Setzer down pit road for service. The Dodge Racing Team changed four tires, added fuel and checked the tow of the right side. Setzer went back out on the track to get caught up and not go one lap down. The next lap he came back down pit road for more repairs. This time the Dodge Racing Team put jack stands under the Dodge Ram to try and fix the tow of the truck, but ran out of time. Setzer sped off of pit road and was able to keep from going a lap down. He restarted in the 27th spot.

By lap 41 the North Carolina native had worked his way into the 22nd position. “On new tires it was good, but now it is really tight,” radioed in Setzer. Richmond guaranteed him he would fix that on the next pit stop. “I think you are dragging the left front from the wreck,” said Richmond. “Once we fix that it will help.”

On lap 64, while running 20th, the third caution came out for an accident in turn two. Setzer hit pit road for more repairs. The Dodge Racing Team changed left side tires and fixed the tow before sending the No. 18 Dodge Ram back out on the track. The next lap Setzer came down pit road again for another round of repairs. Crew Members from the Dodge Racing Team went under the front end to help the tow and fixed the sheet metal on the left side. Setzer returned to the track to once again come back down pit road for right side tires. He restarted 23rd.

Just 10 laps after the restart another caution flag flew for an accident on the front stretch. “It is a lot more drivable now,” Setzer said. “It is not perfect, but much better.” Richmond made the decision to not pit and advised the Setzer to save fuel on the next run. He restarted 18th on lap 85.

For the next several laps Setzer battled hard for the 13th position with fellow competitor Brendan Gaughan and eventually was able to hold him off to gain the spot.

The final caution waved on lap 138 for an accident in turn one. Richmond elected not to pit, “We can’t make up the ground we would lose by pitting,” he said to Setzer under the caution. Setzer restarted 13th for the final time.

In the closing laps Setzer was unable to hold off fellow competitors with fresher tires and fell to the 15th position. It was his fourth top-15 finish in the last five races.

Kevin Harvick went on to win the Lucas Oil 150. Kyle Busch finished second, Todd Bodine, Brian Scott and Mike Skinner followed in the top five.