While Dennis Setzer and MRD Motorsports both had prior track time testing at Chicagoland Speedway - it was not together. After a few struggles in Thursdays rain abbreviated practice sessions, they collectively put their heads together and race day saw a strong No. 8 Malcolmson Construction Chevrolet come home with a sixth place finish in the inaugural running of the EnjoyIllinois.com 225 at the 1.5-mile track just outside Chicago.
"I really need to thank the guys on this race team," said a joyful Setzer. "They worked very hard in changing this truck over to a completely new set-up this morning. The change was the perfect call and it brought my truck to life out there today. We did have some problems with being aero tight behind some trucks; otherwise we would have had a top-five finish for sure. But after all the changes this was a very good run for me and this MRD Motorsports team. "
With a new set-up under his ride, Setzer qualified his No. 8 Chevrolet 14th for the 150-lap event. With a strong race truck and the use of some creative pit strategy from crew chief Randy Dean, the veteran driver worked his way through the field and as high as second during the late stages of the event. When the checkered flag fell over the field Setzer came across the finish line with a much deserved sixth place finish.
"This MRD Motorsports team and I really are starting to click on all cylinders," Setzer stated. "Dave Malcolmson has given us the resources we need to run up front and it is really showing. We wish we had some sponsorship support to go along with what Dave does as we could be a contender for championships with the way we are going right now."
The sixth place finish was Sezter's ninth top-ten finish in 16 races so far in the 2009 season. He maintains a hold on eighth place in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship point standings - just 89 points out of the top-five.
"I am very proud of Dennis and my race team tonight," said team owner Dave Malcolmson. "The showed great team work this week and put a strong truck under Dennis and he drove a great race. We are currently looking for sponsorship for the remainder of this season and 2010 and a performance like this shows what this team is really capable of. We have a great product to give a sponsor and we continue to showcase just that each time we hit the track."
