Indecision ’07: New Hampshire

Posted by Iannucci | 9/11/2007 | 4 comments »
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Now that this frivolous IndyCar season is behind him, Sam Hornish Jr is ready to take his Indecision ’07 campaign to the next level - (insert mobile phone carrier) Cup level, that is. This weekend he’ll attempt to qualify with the big boys at new Hampshire International Speedway.

Penske Racing officials say Sam Hornish Jr. will drive the team's No. 06 Nextel Cup Dodge this weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway, the first of several Cup races he'll attempt this season.

Although his 2008 Cup plans have not been determined, Hornish will attempt to qualify for no more than seven events this year, including the five remaining car of tomorrow races with crew chief Roy McCauley leading the team. (MORE from Scene Daily)
Yes he’s STILL thinking, friends. Considering his new choice of idols, it would appear Uncle Sam doesn’t mind if you happen to dislike him for doing so. Chew on this quote from the Joliet Herald News:

"It's something that I've always kind of wanted to do," Hornish said. "I grew up as a big Indy car fan, but as I got older, I translated more to a general racing fan -- Formula 1 races, drag races, sprint cars and all these different things.

"The NASCAR scene caught my eye. I was a real big fan of Dale Earnhardt Sr. I had IndyCar drivers that I was a big fan of like Rick Mears, Danny Sullivan, Al Unser Jr. For whatever reason, when I started watching NASCAR, Dale Sr. was always my favorite driver because people either loved him or hated him. I loved that aspect of it. That was something that interested me."
So now being hated interests him. OK then.

I'd say what's left of his IndyCar fan base should be offended but it's likely he'll be neither loved nor hated in a NAPCAR career. With Penske's record of mediocrity in the series he'll probably just be floating around mid-pack nearly every weekend. Of course that's just speculation since he still hasn't made a decision.

4 comments

  1. Robert A. Black // September 11, 2007 3:09 PM  

    Yeah, I think both Hornish and Dario are destined for mid-pack obscurity in NASCAR. "Jack" Villeneuve probably will too, given the team he's signed with.

    Drivers like Stewart and Montoya, both of whom can win driving just about anything, are the exception, not the rule. I think most people who try to make the switch are in for a rude awakening. And it's not just the open-wheel-to-fenders transition, either - the same is true in reverse. I remember Bobby Allison's attempt to win the Indy 500 in 1973. It went nowhere fast. The cars are so different that you need a lot of skill to handle them both successfully.

  2. Anonymous // September 11, 2007 6:31 PM  

    "With Penske's record of mediocrity in the series he'll probably just be floating around mid-pack nearly every weekend."

    Provided Sam I Am makes the field, otherwise he can bring the Weber and the Kingsford and A.J. Wallmandinger can bring the steaks and Red Bull so they can cook out and watch the race from the infield.

    Another poster on the Champ Car Fanatics website has the signature line Sam needs: "I want to be like A.J., 3 million a year and NO working on Sundays!"

  3. Johnny // September 12, 2007 4:14 AM  

    bbovenguy:

    I remember Bobby Allison's attempt to win the Indy 500 in 1973. It went nowhere fast.

    Yeah, but remember that his brother Donnie Allison finished 4th in the 1970 500 (which got him Rookie of the Year) and 6th in the 1971 500. Good drivers are always going to be able to land on their feet.

    Hornish will be neither loved nor hated because he's like 90% of the rest of the field in NASCAR. A younger dude from the midwest or west with a nice haircut who talks about his sponsors. There's not enough there to incite ANY kind of emotion.

  4. Anonymous // September 12, 2007 9:41 AM  

    Oh, btw Mr. Hornish, if you want to be hated in NA$CAR, cause a big wreck that takes Junior out of the race.