Hornish No Longer Ruling Out IICS Return

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http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2010-09-17-sam-hornish-2011-season_N.htm

Sam Hornish Jr. has been given permission by Penske Racing to seek employment elsewhere, and the 2006 Indianapolis 500 winner no longer is ruling out a return to IndyCar.

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Anyone care to flog this dead horse again?

[PHJIndy]

I wouldn't mind seeing Sam return.

[dlm1953]

OK, I'll take a stab. He states that he doesn't want to come back, but is keeping the door open just in case? I was one of his biggest (and oldest I'm sure) fans when he was in IndyCar. But now? Hmm.. if he really doesn't want to be here, why not drive his dad's trucks if he can't find another ride in that other series? In other words, Sam don't do us any favors.

How's that?

[Grizzlor]

He's going to hang around Penske as long as possible. Whether that's in the Nationwide series, or part-time in Cup, whatever. I would love to see him back with Panther, but not holding my breath.

[Z28]

Wherever he ends up it will be with a car owner who has the money. He's an American driver who doesn't have the personal backing to pick a team in any series.

Since Wheldon is known to be done with Panther and you have the rumors of Rahal going to Ganassi the National Guard car would be logical thinking. I'm sure Sam would like to continue in Cup or even go to NW but when I watch the races and constantly see him running in the 26-30 range and having seen him in an IndyCar I simply can't believe NASCAR where his talent is.

Operating under the belief that there will be more than one engine manufacturer and maybe chassis aero maker I have to think Sam would be an attractive piece of the puzzle for a team looking to get a good deal with a manufacturer positioning for 2012.

[Since83]

He's been gone a long time. What if he is not so good with indycars anymore? Then what? The caliber of competition is a lot higher than when he was in the series before.

[Formula Indy]

It was upsetting to me when he left, I wish he hadn't. That being said, what is the benefit of having someone come back who does not want to be here? It seems as though that drive could go to someone who is both passionate and talented instead.

[Grizzlor]

He's been gone a long time. What if he is not go good with indycars anymore? Then what? The caliber of competition is a lot higher than when he was in the series before.

I think he'd readjust to ovals very quickly, especially since the first one next year is Indy. He's not going to be better than 12th or so on road courses. But from his point of view, as I've said, he's not going out in the rain without Penske's umbrella. He's just about totally unwanted by the rest of the NASCAR teams. He's never going to get a job outside Penske without bringing money, having run below average his entire career there. I think he has value in IndyCar, but if nothing pans out, then he's totally screwed, so to say. Allgaier at least will get picked up by somebody in NASCAR, he's shown a lot of promise. I think this is the same thing Danica thinks about, that Paul Tracy used to think about a few years ago. What do I do when I'm too old for IndyCar? You can't go to NASCAR at the age Dario did.

[Doc Austin]

He's been gone a long time. What if he is not go good with indycars anymore? Then what?

Seems to have made Dario better.

The caliber of competition is a lot higher than when he was in the series before.

Outside of Power, the guys running up front now are the same guys Sam was competitive with when he was here. I seem to remember Sam owned Dario so badly, and so many times, that Ashley got all hissy about it.

Then again, Sam isn't going to be in a Penske, and probably not a Ganassi either. Panther is probably going to be the best he can do. They are pretty decent, but still a step behind those two. No matter what Sam does, he's going to have a bit of a struggle.

[TimmyZ1]

I think part of his frustration has to be that he for all intents and purposes failed and he still wants to keep trying to prove to himself he can do it. I can understand that. It will be very interesting how everything works out.

One other thing is Sam had a wife at the time of the move and now has 2 kids? Its been speculated one of Dario's and Danica's reasons for heading to Cup was the premise those cars are much safer and you can have a longer career in them. Jimmy Johnson when discussing racing "the 500" said he wasn't worried about getting Rick H's permission to race it was his wife's. That's got to weigh heavily on a driver with a family and kids more than even money. I watch and follow a decent amount of Cup racing and its been a while since I've seen a serious injury over there.

[indywulf]

Panther are coming together nicely on the ovals, maybe due in part to being a two car team. Rahal in Ganassi and Hornish in a National Guard Panther (plus with a team mate). Hornish with his high side overtaking - Great , hope it happens. A risk of regular American winners on ovals!

[indyracefan]

OK, I'll take a stab. He states that he doesn't want to come back, but is keeping the door open just in case? I was one of his biggest (and oldest I'm sure) fans when he was in IndyCar. But now? Hmm.. if he really doesn't want to be here, why not drive his dad's trucks if he can't find another ride in that other series? In other words, Sam don't do us any favors.

How's that?

It was upsetting to me when he left, I wish he hadn't. That being said, what is the benefit of having someone come back who does not want to be here? It seems as though that drive could go to someone who is both passionate and talented instead.

You guys seem to have the same attitude and feeling about Sam as I do. I used to be a big Sam-fan but now I couldn't care less if he does return. I'd rather an open seat go to a driver that wants to be in IndyCar as opposed to a driver that has nowhere else to go...whether he's an American or not.

[gonzo]

You gotta think he is out of a Penske ride in NASCAR the way people in Penske have been talking. Who else in NASCAR would pick him up? I don't think anybody. Talk is that Penske drops to just two Indy Cars next season. What does that leave? I think the writing is on the wall for a return to Panther.

[Indy500fanatic]

You guys seem to have the same attitude and feeling about Sam as I do. I used to be a big Sam-fan but now I couldn't care less if he does return. I'd rather an open seat go to a driver that wants to be in IndyCar as opposed to a driver that has nowhere else to go...whether he's an American or not.

+1

[AFColt]

You guys seem to have the same attitude and feeling about Sam as I do. I used to be a big Sam-fan but now I couldn't care less if he does return. I'd rather an open seat go to a driver that wants to be in IndyCar as opposed to a driver that has nowhere else to go...whether he's an American or not.

Yeah, that's how I'm feeling. If he comes back, okay. If not, ok, too.