It was a good day for Indianapolis 500 winners in NASCAR qualifying. Sam Hornish Jr. joined Jacques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya as former Indy 500 winners to earn a spot in Sunday’s Nextel Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway - marking the first time in NASCAR history three former Indy champions will be in the field.
Hornish, a three-time IndyCar Series champion, will be 26th on the starting grid in his Nextel Cup debut. He failed to qualify in his first six attempts, and his performance came one day after he told The Associated Press he will switch full-time to NASCAR next season.
“I think it says a lot about NASCAR and how great of a series we have,” Truex said. “I think it says a lot for the competition and all the competitors here.” Bob Baum, AP.org
Sam Hornish Jr., the 2006 Indy 500 and IndyCar champion, and the winningest driver in series history, on Thursday confirmed he is leaving his Team Penske open-wheel racing ride for the No. 77 Penske Racing Dodge in NASCAR’s elite Sprint Cup Series starting in 2008.
Like Dario Franchitti, the 2007 Indy 500 and IndyCar champion who left Andretti Green Racing for a 2008 Cup ride with Chip Ganassi Racing, Hornish believes he has done all he can in open-wheel, and can’t resist the lure of money and fame a successful NASCAR career can provide.
“For Hornish, moving to Cup is a logical move. What else is he going to do in the IRL? He’s won the 500, he’s won the championship, he’s pretty much proven his point there,” Despain said.
Hornish naturally believes he can slay the demons and be successful. Mark DeCotis, FloridaToday.com
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