This could be a watershed weekend for Sam Hornish, Jr.
The Penske Racing Team member will be driving the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge Charger in place of A.J. Allmendinger in Sunday’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Hornish already knows what it’s like to take the checkered flag at Indy. And the 2006 Indianapolis 500 winner says he is keeping everything in perspective as he goes about his “super sub” role.
“I’m going to go out there and try to do the best job that I can,” Hornish said. “This is an opportunity that I wasn’t thinking that I was going to have. We want to go out there and be smart, have a good day and see if we can’t figure out how to get the job done.”
Hornish will be making his third consecutive start in the No. 22 Dodge after finishing 33rd and 22nd in the last two Sprint Cup races. He’s replacing Allmendinger, who has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR.
Hornish will also be piloting his No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Indy 250. He remains tantalizingly close in the chase for the series championship, trailing leader Elliott Sadler by 42 points in the standings. Hornish has been a fixture in the top 10 this season, racking up 11 top-10 finishes in 18 races and remains positive about his chances to contend for the title.
“If you looked where we were at a month ago, we were a little more than 70 points out. The fact that we’ve closed that door a little bit and continue to be consistent, that’s what we need to do. I feel like the places that we’re going to make it up are the road courses, the flat tracks. I guess we’d rather be the underdog and be the one that doesn’t have to answer all the questions and sneak up on it a little bit.
“We are very excited to be a part of the inaugural Nationwide Series race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend as the track has unparalleled heritage and prestige . It has a very unique significance within Penske Racing and I have a special feeling for the place too.”
You said it, Sam. You already have an Indy memory you’ll never forget.
And another one is within your grasp.
