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Sam I Am; Hornish says his best is yet to come.(2007 Fan Guide)
Byline: Curt Cavin
Sam Hornish Jr. has won three Indy Racing League championships and the Indianapolis 500, but none of those championships came in what he considers his finest season. That is part of the reason the "Rick Mears of his generation'' thinks his best year is yet to come.
Hornish wastes no time talking about the virtues of his 2003 season, which ended with Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon winning the IRL championship in a five-way battle in the final race. Hornish, then in his final season with Panther Racing, was one of the few drivers trying to compensate for Chevrolet's underpowered engine. He did his best, winning three races.
Two engine failures (at Indianapolis and Texas) were the only mechanical failures among the top five drivers that year. Hornish still went to the last few laps of the season with a chance to win the title, but he ended up fifth in the standings when his engine gave up in that Texas race.
"That year, in my opinion, I don't think I made any mistakes in the race that cost us points,'' he said.
Hornish counts two mistakes in last year's championship effort: a lap-costing spin on an early restart at Watkins Glen and a crash in the oval race at Nashville that he attributes to "not being patient'' enough.
Hornish, 27, has every reason to be patient heading into this year's 17-race season. He continues to drive for the best team in the sport (Penske Racing), and he has continuity on his side. This is his fourth year in Roger Penske's organization.
- Penske picked the right guy: Hiring Hornish pays off with Indy 500 victory.
- News wire article from: Kansas City Star (Kansas City, MO) May 30, 2006 700+ words
...Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Penske and Hornish proved that while you might...at least put it on staff. Hornish, with Penske in his ear, worked his way...Ferran. "When we got Sam Hornish," Penske said, "we knew we had maybe...
- Hornish, Penske Racing sign multiyear deal.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Fleischman, Bill August 25, 2003 700+ words
...Racing after this season. Monday, Hornish and Penske Racing announced that Hornish has signed a multiyear deal. Starting...NASCAR Winston Cup series, either with Penske or Dale Earnhardt Inc. Hornish has said he would like to race in the...
- Hornish races past Penske's best.(The Orlando Sentinel)
- News wire article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Hinton, Ed September 7, 2002 700+ words
JOLIET, Ill. _ Young Sam Hornish Jr. continued to be a one-man pressure cooker for storied Team Penske at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday...de Ferran faltered in qualifying, Hornish, 23, won the pole for Sunday's...
- Penske signs Hornish.
- Newspaper article from: The Dallas Morning News (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service) August 25, 2003 700+ words
...joining Marlboro Team Penske," Hornish said. "The opportunity...But moving to Roger Penske's operation will give Hornish the opportunity to compete...after the 2005 season. Penske said he will allow Hornish to compete in some stock...
- Penske's Hornish craves Indy title.
- News wire article from: Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI) May 12, 2004 700+ words
...at Marlboro Team Penske was filled by Hornish after the popular...racetrack. Whereas his Penske teammate Helio Castroneves...mischievous and funny, Hornish is low-key and...d like to be with Penske for a long time," Hornish said. "I want to...
- Hornish gaining attention after switching to Penske.
- Newspaper article from: Gazette (Colorado Springs, CO) August 19, 2004 700+ words
...After last season, Hornish traded the Panther...the Marlboro Team Penske red and white, which...growing up drove for (Penske) _ Little Al (Unser...Danny Sullivan," Hornish said. "There was...Indianapolis is (Penske's) passion just like it is mine," Hornish said. "I knew I...
- Hornish gaining attention after switching to Penske.(The Gazette)
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Wolken, Dan August 20, 2004 700+ words
...After last season, Hornish traded the Panther...the Marlboro Team Penske red and white, which...growing up drove for (Penske) _ Little Al (Unser...Danny Sullivan," Hornish said. "There was...Indianapolis is (Penske's) passion just like it is mine," Hornish said. "I knew I...
- Indianapolis 500 Winner Gil De Ferran to Retire; Penske Racing Hires Two-Time...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire August 25, 2003 700+ words
...certainly made a place in Penske Racing history as...great drivers." Hornish, Jr. became the...Cindric, President, Penske Racing, Inc. Hornish, Jr., the youngest...joining Marlboro Team Penske," said Hornish, Jr. "The opportunity...
- SUPERSTAR IN THE MAKING? Sam Hornish Jr. does what no other Penske driver has...
- Magazine article from: AutoWeek March 8, 2004 700+ words
...oh.'' Watching Sam Hornish Jr. win the season-opening race for Team Penske, the most successful...fact, which became Hornish's second in a row...his first title while Penske was still in CART. When Hornish was announced as the...
- Hornish closes book on Andretti fairy tale: Penske driver's late burst leaves...
- Newspaper article from: Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL) May 29, 2006 700+ words
...Patrick had done last year, Penske driver Sam Hornish Jr. rocketed off the fourth...owner is even close) and Hornish became Penske's 10th driver to visit Victory...the end, [came from] Sam Hornish," Penske said. "When it's time...
Source: HighBeam Research, Sam I Am; Hornish says his best is yet to come.(2007 Fan Guide)