Drafting leads to trouble for Truck champions

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Even the most experienced drivers know that Daytona International Speedway can jump up and bite you at a moment's notice. That was the case for two Truck Series champions during Thursday morning's practice.

Ron Hornaday, the 2009 champion, got into the back of Johnny Benson, the 2008 titleholder, sending him into teammate Dennis Setzer while the three were drafting on the backstretch.

"Johnny Benson and Ron Hornaday was on the outside line and I was about halfway between both of them down low," Setzer said. "There was about a car-length between us there. I guess Ron must have gotten into the back of Johnny and turned him down in front of me."

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While Hornaday's truck barely showed the effects of the incident, crews for Benson and Setzer were busy hammering out bent sheet metal and assessing the damage.

"I don't know what happened," Hornaday said. "That's my deal. I went down there to talk to Johnny but he was already gone.

"I don't know if he got loose or whatever, but I seen him tail-waggle once and I got out of [the throttle]. I was off the gas and I don't know if he came back across or I got into him. It didn't hurt our truck at all. I don't know if he was that loose and it sucked him around, and when I touched him, I finished him off. It's a shame."

Danny Gill's operation brought a total of two trucks to Daytona, one each for Benson and Setzer, so there's no option other than to fix what they can.

"Somebody got into us and we spun out," Benson said. "That's about all you can say. We have to repair this one, it's the only one we have. It's all cosmetic. We just got hit in the door. That's the only damage."

Setzer's truck caught the worst of it, with significant damage to the right front corner, including the splitter and the suspension.

"It's unfortunate because we're team trucks here with Danny Gill," Setzer said. "He's got his hands full anyways, and we didn't need some tore-up trucks. Fortunately, it's mostly cosmetic on both of them. I got a little suspension damage on my truck. These guys are working really hard and they'll get it straightened out."

While Hornaday is locked into Friday night's field, Benson and Setzer would need to qualify on time.

"I don't think we're in jeopardy of going home," Benson said. "Dennis may be in a different situation. We can fall back on the past champion's deal, where the other truck can't. It's kind of bad for two of the team trucks getting into it, but it was caused by a third party."

Even though the truck may not be as good as it was when it came off the hauler, Setzer remained upbeat about his chances.

"It'll hurt some," Setzer said. "They've worked really hard on this bodies, tweaking them and slicking them up. But I think both trucks will still be good enough to get in the show. That's what we want to do, get them back into race trim. We gathered some good notes before that happened and we've got a pretty good idea of where we need to be. I think we'll be OK still in the race."

Benson was also optimistic, especially since the schedule over the next 48 hours gives the team ample time to make repairs.

"We'll get it fixed," Benson said. "We've got all day. And if we don't get it done [Thursday], we've got [Friday]. Obviously, I want to qualify but I think we're all set either way there. We'll work on it and see what happens."

And amid the hammering and banging, Setzer stood and watched. Now it's a matter of waiting, and wondering.

"Unfortunately, I didn't get to run but a couple of laps last night in qualifying trim," Setzer said. "I didn't get to do any drafting last night. We've got the truck more in race mode [Thursday]. We'll be fine when the bell rings, though."

Related:
• Speeds: Practice 1 | Practice 2