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My theory on where Sam goes.

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  • #1

    My theory on where Sam goes.

    Here's my arithmetic on all the news/theories/rumors floating around.

    RCR wants to form an alliance with an IndyCar team - He said so himself.

    + Chevy worked their posteriors off to solve their engine problems, mainly to launch their star driver, Sam Hornish, back into contention.

    + It would seem that Chevy would go to great lengths to keep Hornish in one of their cars as long as possible

    + RCR runs Chevies in the Series-Formerly-Known-as-Winston-Cup and would want to hook up with a Chevy IndyCar team

    + Any potential IndyCar partener would likely want something for themselves out the RCR deal


    = Sam Hornish's 2004+ paycheck is signed by RCR. And his car bears a distinctive feature: the Menards Stripe.

    My reasoning:

    Although Richard Childress mentioned Panther Racing on Wind Tunnel, Panther doesn't need the kind of support RCR would bring. It is a championship calibre team inandof itself and would probably be burdened by RCR.

    John Menard's operation hasn't shown the prowess it showed in '99 since then. Despite some moments of brilliance, the team and its many drivers since Greg Ray has struggled. RCR joined up with them in the 2002 Indy 500 with Robby Gordon, so a Menard/RCR alliance isn't totally uncharted territory.

    But they would need the right driver to gel this alliance into something powerful. If they hired a rookie, or someone who hasn't been perfoming all that well, that driver would likely be at the butt end of blame if the team's performance is lacklustre.

    Sam Hornish would be the driver they would look for. He has the talent and ability to take any kind of car to the front, as he demonstrated in his last few races with the Boat Anchor Chevy. The team could have unwavering confidence in his ability, and know that if results are poor, odds are it is they who need to improve and not him.

    Plus it answers that NASCAR theory that has been brought up before. Perhaps he tries a Daytona 500 or a Brickyard 400 in an RCR Cup car. Maybe he becomes the first Indy/Charlotte 'Daily Double' driver whose full time ride is in IndyCars.

    Anyway, that's my theory; Sam Hornish in a Menard/RCR Indy Car.

    Do you agree or disagree?
    - Make a note of the word 'Gobbly-gook'. I like it and I want to use it more often in conversation.
    --Yes, sir.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Except why would Chevy pull Sam from there best IRL team and chance to win to place him with a start up ? If money was the issue and Chevy wanted to through it around leave him at Panther and get one of their NASCAR team RCR, DEI, Hendrick to field a car for him in select races.

    Is it May yet ?

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    • #3
      You may be pretty close. Sam Hornish in a Menard/Childress car would play right into all three parties hands' for 2004. Don't forget, Paul Menard is a pretty good close wheel driver and is looking move into their "big time" meaning NASCAR Cup. We could see Paul Menard in a RCR WC car in 2004 sponsored by Menards along with Sam Hornish deal.

      Pretty awesome if you ask me
      The transformation is complete. The Indy 500 is the only IndyCar race that matters.

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      • #4
        The only ride out there better than Panthers is M.shumacher's.

        Michael grabs the title retires and Sam takes over the Red Ferrari with a clause to run Indy for Team Penske.

        well were all just guessing right now anyway
        I am blessed to have witnessed "The Greatest Spectacle In Racing" 50 times!

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        • #5
          Re: My theory on where Sam goes.

          Originally posted by FenderFree
          RCR wants to form an alliance with an IndyCar team - He said so himself.
          I suspect Sam's leaving Panther will mean Childress never starts an IRL team. This was a shotgun wedding dreamed up by the people who brought us the Gen III.
          "The problem with internet quotes and statistics is that often times, they're wrongfully believed to be real." - Abraham Lincoln

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          • #6
            Re: Re: My theory on where Sam goes.

            Originally posted by LorenzoBandini
            I suspect Sam's leaving Panther will mean Childress never starts an IRL team. This was a shotgun wedding dreamed up by the people who brought us the Gen III.
            The same people who saved the IRL in the 90's.
            The transformation is complete. The Indy 500 is the only IndyCar race that matters.

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            • #7
              Thank you!
              Road racing is doomed...what this country needs is a big new racetrack designed for automobiles instead of horses. C.G. Fisher

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              • #8
                When Sam accepted an award at St. Louis, Michael Andretti was waiting at the botttom of the stairs to present an award. When Sam walked down the steps, he and Andretti shook hands and a I thought a look passed between them. At that moment, I thought Sam is going with AGR.

                Maybe, that is wishful thinking on my part now after today's disappointing announcement, but I think it may still be a possibility that he is staying IRL with AGR.

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                • #9
                  Prediction: if Sam goes to nascar, he'll do just about as well as Michael Andretti did in F1.

                  Sam is no Tony Stewart.
                  I'm from a place called the internet. Nothing disturbs me.

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by debdrake
                    Prediction: if Sam goes to nascar, he'll do just about as well as Michael Andretti did in F1.

                    Sam is no Tony Stewart.
                    Probably true. He hasn't shown a whole lot during the IROC races.
                    The transformation is complete. The Indy 500 is the only IndyCar race that matters.

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                    • #11
                      Ouch! That is a memory Mikey wants to forget I am sure.


                      Forget, what I said earlier. I do not think he is going to AGR.

                      With JB's comment that there was nothing Tony would have been able to do plus Sam's commment about the opportuntiies being too good to turn down, I think he is gone.


                      I hope Panther hires someone that is good.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Originally posted by debdrake
                        Prediction: if Sam goes to nascar, he'll do just about as well as Michael Andretti did in F1.

                        Sam is no Tony Stewart.
                        Yes. Both did well in the IRL, but their backgrounds are different. While Tony had the background of driving open-wheel, front-engine cars before the IRL, Sam did not.

                        I am starting to wonder if the fiancee played any role in the decision.
                        One driver's "fuel strategy" is another driver's "speed up or we will park you!"

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