Although Rusty Wallace admits he is looking at the happy downhill side of his long racing career. he declares he will be racing in NASCAR through 2005, amid reports that Indy Racing League charger Sam Hornish would replace him in the seat of the Penske Racing #2 after 2004. “I’ve told everybody I’ll run to the end of 2005, and I’m not guaranteeing anything after that,” the 1989 NASCAR champion said recently. “It’ll be a stretch for me to go beyond 2005.” Word from Nazareth, Pa., site of this weekend’s IRL IndyCar race, is that Hornish, subject of much speculation as he leaves Panther Racing after two championship seasons, would join Penske with an eye toward a NASCAR run in 2005, replacing Wallace, who turned 47 this month. As it is expressed now, Hornish instead would be given a part-time ride in IndyCar (particularly for the Indy 500) and would be graduated through a sort of ABC (ARCA/Busch/Cup) stock car schedule, as Newman was on his way to the premium seat. Hornish then would take over Rusty’s Miller Beer ride in 2005. None of that could be confirmed late last night.( Speed Channel )(8-23-2003) UPDATE Hornish to Penske – IRL Team – de Ferran to retire, Official AND: Penske Racing, Inc. announced today that 2003 Indianapolis 500-Mile race winner and two-time National Champion Gil de Ferran will retire at season’s end. Two-time IRL IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish Jr. has signed a multi-year deal to drive for the team beginning in 2004. “Sam Hornish Jr. will be an excellent addition to Marlboro Team Penske. Certainly, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to hire someone with Sam’s ability. He and Helio will give us a great combination next season,” said Tim Cindric, President, Penske Racing, Inc. “I am thrilled to be joining Marlboro Team Penske,” said Hornish. “The opportunity to drive for the most successful open-wheel team in history and to follow in the footsteps of the organization’s remarkable driver lineage, including Gil, is an honor.”(full story at the IRL Site ) AND Hornish announced last week that he was leaving Panther Racing, for whom he won his IRL titles. The driver from Defiance, Ohio, said he wanted to continue to compete in the Indy 500, but also stated a desire to race in the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 – NASCAR’s biggest events. Moving to Penske gives him that opportunity. The team also fields cars in Winston Cup for Ryan Newman and Rusty Wallace.( ThatsRacin.com/AP )(8-25-2003) UPDATE 2: There had been speculation Hornish might sign with Penske’s NASCAR program. But Hornish, who said he might one day compete in NASCAR on a limited basis, insisted he is focused on the IRL and winning the 500. “I don’t foresee doing anything like that (NASCAR) in the future,” he said.( Indianapolis Star )(8-26-2003)
