
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, July 17, 1994                   TAG: 9407180156
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Landmark News Service
DATELINE: SOUTH BOSTON                                LENGTH: Short

ROOKIE WINS SOUTH BOSTON GN RACE

Dennis Setzer etched his name into the record books of NASCAR's Busch Grand National division when he took the checkered flag Saturday night in the Ford Credit 300 at South Boston Speedway.

Setzer, a rookie on the series, joined an elite list of five other drivers who have won in their rookie years including the second-place finisher, Hermie Sadler.

In three of the past four years, rookies have scored a win: David Green in 1991, Sadler and Johnny Rumley in 1993 and Setzer, a Newton, N.C., native. Bobby Hamilton and Robert Pressley also scored wins in their rookie years.

Setzer, a short-track veteran from the Late Model Stock class, survived a caution-filled event to finish 1.39 seconds ahead of Sadler.

Johnny Benson, another of the 11 rookies competing on the circuit, finished third, followed by Green and Chad Little.

Pressley, Tracy Leslie, Nathan Buttke, Dave Rezendes and Jim Bown rounded out the top 10.

``Unbelievable,'' Setzer said. ``I just don't know what to say. This is great.''

Setzer, who started 20th, took the lead for good on lap 231.

A contingent of state drivers, including 1993 Langley Late Model Stock champion Eddie Johnson of Richmond, competed in the race. Johnson finished 27th, one spot in front of Tommy Ellis of Langley.

Ellis dropped from the field on lap 224 with engine failure. He was running fifth at the time.

Busch Series regular Elton Sawyer, a native of Chesapeake, finished 17th.

Keywords:
AUTO RACING

by CNB