Hornish Jr. to attempt NASCAR Busch Series race

Richmond, VA—Sam Hornish Jr. will attempt to do something no other driver has ever done at Richmond International Raceway: qualify for both an IndyCar® Series and NASCAR Busch Series race at America’s Premier Short Track. Hornish will attempt to run the Circuit City 250 Presented by FUNAI NASCAR Busch Series race on Friday, May 4 “under the lights." Yes, that’s the same Sam Hornish Jr. who has won two SunTrust Indy Challenge IndyCar Series races in Richmond. And yes, the same Sam Hornish Jr. who won the Indianapolis 500 and the series championship last year.

Hornish is running a partial Busch Series schedule this year for Roger Penske, who also owns Team Penske in the IndyCar Series. Hornish decided that, after much success in open-wheel racing, he would like to test his skills in stock cars.

“It’s a big transition," Hornish said while in Richmond for an official Busch Series test session. “It’s something that I wanted to do and Penske Racing and I thought about. I felt like there’s a need to explore some other options out there as far as getting experience in different cars."

“I’ve had a lot of success in the IndyCar Series, accomplishing a childhood dream of mine of winning the Indianapolis 500 and also a third championship last year. Now I’m taking on this new challenge in the stock cars to see what I can do."

Making the transition from open-wheel to stock cars isn’t the easiest thing in the world, as Hornish has learned early on. The 27-year-old has started four races this season, with finishes of 31st, 35th, 15th and 25th.

“I’ve found it quite humbling and it’s exactly what I thought it was going to be," said Hornish. “I knew it was going to be difficult. It’s something unlike anything I’ve ever done before. It’s really interesting because there’s a lot I can learn about these cars. It’s a fun experience, but it’s also very difficult." ThatsRacin