Dennis Setzer
No.18 Rob Lambdin’s University Dodge Ram
           Ford 200
Homestead-Miami Speedway

Homestead, FL. (November 17, 2008) – Dennis Setzer, driver of the No. 18 Rob Lambdin’s University Dodge Ram, scored his fifth top five of the season in the final NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. After qualifying fifth for the Ford 200, Setzer battled a tight race truck for most of the 134-lap event. After a two year absence Bobby Hamilton Racing and Setzer both returned to the top 10 in the NCTS Championship point standings by securing the eighth spot. 

The No. 18 Dodge Ram Race Recap

• Setzer laid down a fast speed of 166.728 mph during qualifying on Friday evening, which garnered him the fifth position to start the race.
• The first caution waved just seven laps after the drop of the green flag. “It is not bad at all,” said Setzer while running sixth. “It’s pretty neutral.”
• Over the next several laps Setzer was challenged for position, but his No. 18 Dodge Ram was able to pull away from his fellow competitors as he worked his way into fourth spot.
• “It is getting a tight on me,” said the North Carolina native on lap 39 while running fifth.
• Debris brought out the second caution on lap 42. Setzer made his way down pit road to the attention of his pit crew. The Dodge Racing Team jumped into action, changed all four tires, added fuel and went down two rounds on the track bar. He restarted ninth.
• Just after the restart Setzer took to the Dodge Ram to the bottom groove of the race track and was able to gain ground on the trucks in front of him for a short time. “It is getting tighter,” he said on lap 68 while running ninth.
• Crew Chief Marcus Richmond climbed down from the pit box just after Setzer radioed in to notify his teams of the changes he had in store for the Dodge Ram.
• Debris on the track once again brought out the caution on lap 91.  Setzer hit pit road for service and adjustments. The Dodge Racing Team leaped over the pit wall and made the adjustments Richmond advised. After they changed all four tires, added two cans of fuel and went back down on the track bar Setzer returned to the track in 12th position. Several trucks in front of him pitted for just two tires, but Richmond was confident four tires would be the ticket. “Several in front of you only took two tires,” said Richmond. “I think you will be glad you have four in the end.”
• The adjustments proved to work right off the bat. By lap 110 Setzer had worked his way into the 10th position, but he didn’t stop there. Just seven laps later he had moved up another three spots to seventh. 
• The fourth caution waved on lap 126 for debris. “If the leaders pit, you pit too,” ordered Richmond. “If they don’t, you stay out.”  Setzer agreed.
•  “Okay, three pitted and three stayed out,” said Setzer as he drove around the track.”So I gambled and stayed out.”
• The gamble proved to be a good one. He restarted fourth with five laps left in the event.
• Setzer was running fourth when the final caution waved with just two laps remaining for an accident on the back stretch.
• The field was set for a green-white-checkered flag restart. Just after the restart Setzer was unable to hold off a charging Kyle Busch, who had fresher tires, on the final lap and come home fifth.

Todd Bodine went on to win the Ford 200. Brian Scott finished second, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Setzer followed in the top five. Fellow competitor Johnny Benson scored his first ever NCTS Championship Title by a mere seven points over Ron Hornaday Jr.