Setzer hopes preparation leads to successful run

He has been sitting, waiting and anticipating the next NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.

	Dennis Setzer tested his No. 46 Chevy at Atlanta Motor Speedway recently. Credit: Autostock

Well, Dennis Setzer's wait is over.

After nearly four weeks off, Setzer and the rest of the NCTS competitors are back in action Thursday at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 200 at Richmond International Raceway's 0.75-mile track.

"I am really excited to be racing again," said Setzer, who is eighth in the NCTS points standings. "We won the pole at Richmond a year ago and finished third and I have won at Texas Motor Speedway before in 1999 (the site of the next event Sept. 13) so, I feel like we can really make a move in the points at the next two races."

Setzer, who pilots the No. 46 Chevy for Morgan-Dollar Motorsports, is 133 points behind leader Mike Bliss.

"With the break we had in the schedule, I think the team was able to get in pretty good shape," said Setzer, who has one win at Martinsville April 13 and six top-fives this season. "Plus, the guys on the team were able to spend some time at home and now I feel like we are all anxious to get going again."

Setzer believes the key to his success since June has been the addition of crew chief Danny Gill.

DENNIS SETZER • Driver Page • 2002 Stats • Driver vs. Driver

"It is tough to make a crew chief change during the season," Setzer said. "But, things didn't work out for Danny at Bobby Hamilton Racing and we were glad to welcome him onboard. He helped out at Texas (on) June 7 and has been our crew chief ever since the Memphis race (June 22). Ever since Danny came on board, we have really been able to get some consistency back in our program."

Last Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for the second Texas race, Setzer and his No. 46 crew tested at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

"Things went pretty well during that test," Setzer said. "The main focus was to get a handle on the aero package and how it would help us in relation to Texas Motor Speedway."

Beyond the 2002 season, Setzer is already certain what he will be doing next year.

"I am definitely going to be back driving in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2003 with Morgan-Dollar Motorsports," Setzer said. "This is a great team to drive for and I would like to drive for them in the Craftsman Truck Series for the next 10 years."