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NASCAR Nationwide Series
NNS: Setzer Survives Fiery Flight At Talladega
Dennis Setzer wrecked in spectacular fashion on the final lap of the Aaron’s 312...
Bob Pockrass  | http://www.scenedaily.com  |  Posted April 26, 2010   Talladega, AL
The #92 K-Automotive Dodge, driven by Dennis Setzer, catches fire after going airborne because of a multi car incident on track during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway. (Photo: Getty Images)
Dennis Setzer walked out of the infield medical center with a smile on his face after a scary accident in which his car became airborne and caught fire as it hugged the catch fence between turns 3 and 4 Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway.

VIDEO: Last Lap Talladega NNS- Keselowski Wins

LINK> UNOFFICIAL RESULTS: Aaron's 312 - TALLADEGA

Setzer said he was fine following the incident on the final lap of the Aaron’s 312.

The accident occurred when Jamie McMurray's car hit Clint Bowyer, spun and hit Scott Wimmer. Wimmer's car then collected Paul Menard, whose car pinched Setzer, sending its wheels up along the catch fence. His car caught fire while up in the air, and Setzer was able to eventually pull the fire extinguisher in the car and extinguish the fire as he was sliding to a stop.

“My car got up into the catch fence and I was just holding on after that,” said Setzer, driving a car owned by Brian Keselowski. “These guys build some really safe cars. … Cars started crashing on the bottom side and it kind of pinched me up to the top, and when they all pinched up top, my car got up in the wall.

“It was just one of them deals. No room to lift.”

Setzer, whose car was hit by Brendan Gaughan and Justin Allgaier while still on fire, said he’s never gotten that high up in the air in a NASCAR race.

“It looked pretty spectacular from inside,” Setzer said. “I’ve went out of some small tracks and landed on my roof outside the track and everything else, but that was the first time at 190 miles an hour.

“I’m fine.”

Jamie McMurray took blame for the accident, which sent several drivers to the infield medical center. All of them – Setzer, Gaughan, Allgaier, Patrick Sheltra, Bobby Gerhart, Trevor Bayne and McMurray – were treated and released following the incident.

“It was my fault completely,” McMurray said. “I was just trying to get into the hole and there wasn’t a hole there. On the last lap, you make moves that you wouldn’t normally make early in the race. It was unfortunate. I caused the big wreck this time.”

The accident occurred on the final lap of the first attempt at a green-white-checkered finish.

“There were some flames all over the hood of our car, probably some liquid that came on our car,” Allgaier said. “Fortunately, our car wasn’t on fire. I was able to get out safely. … I knew there was a car next to me and knew there was fire somewhere.”

One consolation for the teams is that the cars won’t be needed anymore. NASCAR is going to its new Nationwide car for the one remaining restrictor-plate race of the season at Daytona in July.

“It is the last race for these cars so I knew everybody would go as hard as they could,” Allgaier said.

SceneDaily.com • Brad Keselowski able to breathe easily after Nationwide triumph

The NASCAR Hall of Fame Grand Opening is set for May 11, 2010. Outdoor Opening Ceremonies are May 11th from 9 to 10 am ET free of charge, open to the public. Outdoor festivities including driver appearances and concerts May 11th from 10 am until 8 pm ET open to the public, free of charge. Tickets to enter the NASCAR Hall of Fame are on sale now at www.NASCARHall.com or by calling 877-231-2010. The countdown to the NASCAR Hall of Fame is on! Visit www.NASCARHall.com/50days for daily updates about the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
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Bob Pockrass

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