He was a winner in the Indianapolis 500 and he’s working a part-time NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule now for Joe Gibbs Racing after a couple of seasons with then-Penske Racing. In this Behind the Wheel interview, Sam Hornish, Jr. talks about how he keeps the focus between races and about his outlook for tonight’s race at Chicagoland Speedway.
Sam Hornish, Jr. Behind the Wheel
It was a back and forth battle between Sam Hornish, Jr. and Ryan Blaney for the top spot for the entire Get to Know Newton 250 in the Nationwide Series race Sunday afternoon.
Blaney had the pole position for the race – his first in the Nationwide Series for Team Penske with whom he runs a part-time schedule. He and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Sam Hornish, Jr. traded the lead several times during the race with Hornish leading a good portion of the race and Blaney contributing his share.
Sam Hornish, Jr. will be driving in seven races this season for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series where he will pilot the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota. His first race will be May 3 at Talladega Super Speedway. He will also participate in races at Road America, Chicagoland Speedway, Mid-Ohio, Kentucky Speedway and both races at Iowa Speedway. Kyle Busch will drive in the remaining 26 races of the season with Adam Stevens calling the shots from atop the pit box. Hornish spent the past two seasons driving the No. 12 Ford for Penske Racing in the Nationwide Series.
It was quite a championship battle between Austin Dillon and Sam Hornish, Jr. in the NASCAR Nationwide Series 200-lap Ford Ecoboost 300 Saturday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It was also the closest title match in all of NASCAR’s top series.
Hornish, Jr., who drove the No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts Ford for Penske Racing, started on the pole and led the first part of the race and became the points leader and held that points lead for nearly the entire race. Dillon and Hornish switched places in the points after a late race caution (and rather lengthy caution) where Dillon would stay ahead of Hornish to claim the championship.
Kyle Busch was shuffled back in the top ten a few times today, but found his way to the front again to cross the finish line first in the Servicemaster 200 at Phoenix International Raceway Saturday afternoon. This is his 12th win of the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series season.
Austin Dillon and Sam Hornish, Jr. are vying for the championship and the battle will go to Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hornish, Jr. was not happy with the car’s setup all weekend long, but was able to muscle out a fifth place finish. Austin Dillon was in the top ten all afternoon and finished third. Justin Allgaier passed Dillon on the last lap to take the second place finish. Dillon will enter the last race of the season with an eight point advantage over Hornish in the championship standings.
