While deeming it unlikely next year, when Sam Hornish Jr. will be learning the ropes in NASCAR, neither the driver nor team owner Roger Penske is ruling out an eventual return to the Indianapolis 500 for the 2006 winner.
“If at some point we have our heads above water, we’re going to have to ask the question, ‘What about we go and run Indy? ’ ” Hornish said Sunday morning at Phoenix International Raceway, where he later finished 30th in his first Nextel Cup start. Steve Ballard, Indy Star
Penske said the decision to move was strictly Hornish’s, and he was prepared if Hornish decided to return to open-wheel. Now that he’s picked NASCAR, Penske said Ryan Briscoe is the top candidate to replace him.
Hornish becomes the latest in a growing list of open-wheel drivers to move to NASCAR, following Juan Pablo Montoya, who left Formula One last season for a ride with Chip Ganassi Racing. CanadianPress
“This could be the biggest mistake I ever made or the best thing I ever did, ” Hornish said. “I’ve thought about this every minute of every day for the last year and a half. “
Hornish failed to qualify for six Cup events this fall, but finally got it done and made the field for the Checker’s Auto Parts 500 on Sunday.
His move to Cup has been anticipated for months, but Penske said they didn’t make the final decision until two weeks ago at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Terry Blount, ESPN.com
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