Would Hornish return to the IRL?

Former champions Dario Franchitti and Sam Hornish have steadfastly defended their decisions to leave the Indy Racing League to begin NASCAR careers as absolute beginners. They've continued to do so as they've struggled mightily.

But Tony Kanaan wonders about the decision of Franchitti, his best friend and former teammate. And Tim Cindric, president of the Penske race team, admits there are contingency plans that could bring Hornish, the 2006 series champion, back to an IRL series in which he set records for wins (19) and titles (3) before reunification created a new record book this season.

Hornish is struggling in his rookie season after winning the IRL title and Indy 500 in 2006. Penske Racing assigned teammate Kurt Busch's points to his No. 77 Dodge to assure him entry into this year's first five Sprint Cup races, but he entered Sunday's event at Martinsville 35th in points, one spot from being forced to qualify on time. Team Penske's Tim Cindric said he can foresee Hornish returning to the IRL, but not in failure, and Roger Penske said he feels Hornish has raced better than his results indicate.

"There's no set plan on that front, but we operate with a lot of options," he said of planning Hornish's career. "But I would be very surprised if the reason he came back (to the IRL) is because it didn't work out there. I know how determined he is. I'd be surprised, but you never know." TampaBay.com