Hornish in NASCAR Busch Series

Indy Racing League driver Sam Hornish Jr. has his eye on the Daytona 500. Before he gets there, though, he will test his NASCAR skills in the Busch Series.
Hornish, an IRL champion and winner of the Indianapolis 500, will be entered in the NASCAR Busch Series Orbitz 300 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 17.
In testing on Sunday, Hornish was the fastest driver, taking the No. 12 Penske Racing Dodge around the 2.5-mile track at 187.833 mph.
“I’ve been here at Daytona in sports cars, been here in the IROC Series, been here in the IndyCar,� Hornish Jr. said. “So now I’ve been here in the Busch car. I guess I can find my way around OK.�
The IRL season doesn't start until March 24 and ends in September. That has given Hornish the opportunity to test and drive a NASCAR Busch Series car and pursue a chance to perhaps race in the Daytona 500 at some point.
“It’s more for experience and something new . . . to be able to someday come here run the Daytona 500,� Hornish Jr. said. “That’s probably my goaI right now. You are not just going to jump in a Cup car and go out there and be able to win. I want to come here for my first time as a rookie for that and somewhat be competitive. I don’t want to go home and not make the race. This is part of practice to be able to go out and do that.�
In addition to preparing for the NASCAR Busch Series race, he will be competing in this weekend’s Rolex 24 At Daytona with Michael Shank Racing.
“That’s one of the things that has pushed me to want to do this,� Hornish Jr. said. “I’ve finished second twice here in the IROC race. Obviously I haven’t been to Victory Lane but I’ve been pretty close. I want to see if I can win one of these races. This obviously gives me an opportunity to do that.
“To win a race here, whether a 24-hour race or someday the Daytona 500 – you can’t ask for a whole lot more than that,� Hornish Jr. continued. “It’s hard to compare the two because the two tracks are so different but as far as Indianapolis and Daytona go, they are the two most historic places in the motor racing in the United States if not the world. They’ve got some of the greatest history that you are ever going to find. Whether starting off as a 2 ½-mile track that was paved with bricks or if it was starting off racing on a beach, there’s so much history involved. So many people look to these two races as the greatest races and as the only races they watch all year. To put your name on the winner’s list is pretty cool.�