#99-Carl Edwards saw a wreck, thought there was a caution, and slowed. So did #46-Dennis Setzer, but his quick glance at the track’s lights showed no yellow, and he sped back up. That quick reflex was enough to power Setzer into the lead with four of 134 laps remaining and he held off Edwards by .869 seconds to win Friday night’s Infineon 200 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. It’s the 11th career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory for Setzer and he becomes the first driver in the series to win at least one race for seven consecutive seasons. “This so great to be able to do this at home. (Edwards) thought the caution came out and so did I,” Setzer said. “I looked and the lights weren’t on, so I kept on going. I went by Carl. I didn’t know what the deal was. I don’t know, I guess the racing gods shine on you every once in a while.” Edwards had trouble comprehending his mistake. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve done in my racing career. I saw pieces of tire and saw a truck on the bottom. I can’t believe I did that,” Edwards said. “I’ve told people I’m my toughest critic and I’m going to have a hard time getting over this.” On Lap 130, #18-Chad Chaffin struck the Turn 3 wall and drove to the bottom of the track, but NASCAR officials did not throw a caution and Chaffin made it back to pit road. Although NASCAR officials never called for a caution and no flag was put out at the start/finish line, there was much controversy after the race as to whether the yellow caution lights came on, if only briefly. Setzer was certain he never saw any lights, which is why he said he passed Edwards and continued on. Several other drivers — including #14-Rick Crawford, #50-Jon Wood and #29-Terry Cook — claimed they saw yellow caution lights come on. However, series director Wayne Auton, through a spokesman, relayed a message to the press box that the caution lights did not come on. NASCAR’s new policy prohibiting racing back to the caution “freezes” the field once a caution is called and the caution lights come on or the caution flag displayed. Setzer had to work his way past #47-Michael Waltrip, his one-race teammate as part of a Chevrolet all-star program, for the victory, whose truck dominated the middle part of the race. While Edwards and Waltrip nearly wrecked while battling for the lead on Lap 121, Setzer cruised into the lead. Edwards passed him on Lap 128 then lost the lead in the caution controversy. Pole-winner #75-David Starr finished third, #92-Kevin Harvick fourth and Waltrip fifth. Setzer holds a 37 point lead over Edwards in points. Rick Crawford is third.(ThatsRacin.com)
See race results at:
ThatsRacin.com
Motorsports One
TruckSeries.com
NASCAR.com.(5-21-2004)
