SETZER: Blown Tire Ends Run at Kansas
04-29-2008 7:40 pm

After scoring an emotional victory at Martinsville, Dodge Driver Dennis Setzer and crew went west to Kansas with high hopes of capitalizing on the team's momentum.

Dennis Setzer qualified his No. 18 ShopHemi.com in 20th position but made his way to the front of the pack, climbing as high as fourth position before disaster struck. On lap 73 as Setzer was coming out of turn one he was unable to miss a competitor who spun directly in front of his racing line. The Dodge Racing Team repaired the substantial front end damage and Setzer returned to the track still on the lead lap. Then as he was working his way back through the field a catastrophic blown tire sent Setzer careening into the wall and forced the team to retire from the event, finishing in the 25th spot.

Setzer qualified in the 20th position Saturday afternoon for the fifth race of the 2008 season.

Once the race was underway the No. 18 Dodge Ram was a little loose as Setzer made his way through traffic. "It has lost tons of grip," said Setzer.

The first caution waved on lap 27 due to oil on the track. Setzer hit pit road for service. The Dodge Racing Team jumped over the wall changed all four tires, added fuel and made an air pressure adjustment to aid the loose condition. He restarted in the 22nd position.

Over the next several laps Setzer worked his way all the up to 16th when the third caution waved for accident in turn four. Once again Setzer came down pit road for fuel and a wedge adjustment but did not take fresh tires. He restarted 11th.

"It is a lot better after those adjustments," radioed in Setzer to his crew on lap 63 while running in the ninth position. Just six laps later Setzer cracked the top five.

On lap 73 Setzer was coming out of turn one when a competitor spun directly in front of him. He tried to avoid the spinning vehicle, but was unable to escape without substantial front end damage. He immediately hit pit road to the attention of the Dodge Racing Team for repairs.

Crew Chief Marcus Richmond jumped into action on the radio giving each crew member a job as they went over the wall. "Get a bat, a hammer, lots of bearbond and duct tape," said Richmond in a hurry. "Make sure you get the grill pulled back out so it does not over heat." The team got prepared as Setzer made his way into the pit box. After coming back in several times to repair the damage Setzer returned to the race track in 26th position on lap 77 still on the lead lap.

Following the restart Setzer was able to pass on the race track despite the front end damage. He was running 22nd by lap 88.

Over the next 40 laps, which included four cautions, Setzer and crew continued to adjust on the No. 18 Dodge. The adjustments proved a success as Setzer was running 16th on lap 125. Unfortunately another disaster was lurking around the corner for Setzer and team.

As the No. 18 Dodge headed into turn four on lap 113 the right front tire blew sending Setzer hard into the turn four wall. The extensive damage forced the team to retire from the event, where they finished in the 25th position.