Last November, Sam Hornish promised he wasn’t going to settle for any ride just to be able to ‘say I’m a race-car driver.’ Thanks to Joe Gibbs Racing, Hornish won’t have to. Sources tell FOXSports.com that the three-time IndyCar Champ and Indianapolis 500 winner will share seat time with Kyle Busch in the #54 Toyota in the Nationwide Series this season. Hornish could not be reached for comment. Hornish finished second in the Nationwide points standings to Austin Dillon last year in his second full season on the tour driving the No. 12 for Penske Racing. He finished fourth in 2012. However, Penske Racing could not secure sponsorship for Hornish to continue in the ride. Busch ran 26 Nationwide races last season with Adam Stevens as his crew chief. He won 12 of the events in the #54 Monster Toyota. Busch is expected to run a similar schedule in 2014 with Hornish filling the balance.(Fox Sports)(1-5-2014)
UPDATE: Joe Gibbs Racing announced that it has signed driver Sam Hornish, Jr. to drive the #54 Monster Energy Toyota in seven NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2014. ‘I’m excited about driving the No. 54 Monster Energy car this year. It’s a great opportunity for me,’ said Hornish. ‘It’s the best possible situation for me to jump into great equipment and have the opportunity to go right out and win. After working with Penske for 10 years and now to have the opportunity to partner with Joe Gibbs Racing, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. These are great people, top notch. To partner with Kyle, and all this team provides, with the support of Joe and J.D., it provides me with everything I need to succeed. It’s also a phenomenal opportunity for me to partner with a market leader such as Monster Energy. The brand identity and fan following that goes along with this sponsor is super. I can’t wait to get into that car!’ The #54 Monster Energy Toyota will run a full season schedule for JGR with crew chief Adam Stevens returning to call the shots from atop the pit box. Kyle Busch will return to pilot the Camry in 26 races, while Hornish will fill the driver’s seat in the remaining seven races. Hornish’s first race behind the wheel of the #54 Monster Energy Toyota will be May 3 at Talladega. In addition he will race both Iowa Speedway races, Road America, Chicagoland Speedway on July 19, Mid-Ohio, and Kentucky Speedway on September 20.(Joe Gibbs Racing)
