Hornish and the 500

[Ann Dretti]

http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/04/13/dstremme.penske.test/index.html

This would be cool.

[indyracefan]

...I didn't put much thought into the third Penske car when I first saw the entry list (and still don't really). A TBA Penske car at Indy isn't anything unusual or new with sometimes the entry being utilized and other times not. What struck me as kinda odd was that the number of the car is 77.

[crispy]

What is the downside?

Stremme does a good job in Charlotte. Keeps them in the top 35 in owner's points.

Sam is going nowhere in driver's points anyway.

Sponsor issues are non-existant. Mobil 1 would prefer Sam to be running up front at Indy like the article says.

No downside.

[Ken-Paul]

If this works out, there is a NSCS race at Darlington the evening of May 10 - Pole Day at Indy.

I can't imagine Roger not wanting Sam to try for the Indy 500 pole, so I wonder if Sam would try to do "The Double" by qualifying at Indy and then flying on Roger's jet to Darlington for the NASCAR race. (That's assuming that he qualifies for the race at Darlington.)

[Plectraholica]

I think that they should place Stremme in the Indy cockpit. Sammy has made his choice and I think that he should stay there for a year with his decision. Just mho of course......

[Field of 33]

If Hornish wants to do Indy, then Hornish will likely do Indy. Keep in mind, the "Top 35" is not by driver's points, it is by owner's points so as long as someone drives the #77 and gets decent points, then it won't hurt Sam. It's not like Sam is going for a championship anyway. He's just driving for experience.

[IRL Dan]

I wonder if Sammy is second-guessing his decision?

When there is this much smoke, there is usually fire.
I will welcome my favorite IndyCar driver back with open arms, full season or Indy only. -cap

[crispy]

If Hornish wants to do Indy, then Hornish will likely do Indy. Keep in mind, the "Top 35" is not by driver's points, it is by owner's points so as long as someone drives the #77 and gets decent points, then it won't hurt Sam. It's not like Sam is going for a championship anyway. He's just driving for experience.

Wow! I wish I had said that. Oh wait..., I did...

[Field of 33]

Wow! I wish I had said that. Oh wait..., I did...

Oops, didn't see your post - sorry. Didn't mean to step on toes. :withstupi

[silvercrown]

I think that they should place Stremme in the Indy cockpit. Sammy has made his choice and I think that he should stay there for a year with his decision. Just mho of course......

I don't believe you guys. The best days of racing were when drivers from various series came and raced at Indy. For whatever reason and circumstance, a former Indy Car series Champion and former 500 winner just might be back to race the 500. And he will be with a good team, with a legit shot to win.

And people want him to stay in NASCAR because "he made his choice?"

This is the most logical move Penske could make. Put Mobil one sponsorship on the 77 car with Hornish at Indy. It gives Roger an even better chance at winning number 15 there, and the sponsor gets twice as much exposure on race day.

With Sammy way down in points anyway, it makes perfect sense.

[Racechic317]

I think them not shooting it down speaks volumes.
The cars number is #77!
Sam has showed interest in running the Indy 500 again.
Roger Penske has a car entered with no driver.
I think he will be there but time will tell!!

[Dizz Fan]

Not so sure Seabass will want to duel with Sam again.

It will be a huge marketing bonus for both IndyCar and Cup.

Dizz Fan

[Gomer Simpson]

Anybody that wants to be at Indy should be at Indy.

[Indyfanman]

Sam knows what Indy means. Shouldn't even be in the same sentence as the Coke 600. Indy should be a measure of some of the best drivers competing for eternal history!

[Mack Too]

I posted this on the other thread and stand by it:

Stremme will just come in to help Sam sort out the setups better, sort of confirm what he is feeling. I doubt he will be there to run the car at Charlotte.

Stremme's record last year was dismal at best, he didn't run any better than Sam is running now. If Penske wanted to put a driver in the car at Charlotte there would be several available more qualified than Stremme, and he wouldn't need to sign them to a testing contract to get them. As for Stremme turning down "two rides," we've seen what rides are available out there now.

Sam is a NASCAR driver now, that is where his future is. If I turn out wrong on this I'll eat my words with ketchup and mayo please.