News

DARLINGTON, S.C. (May 9, 2008) – Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the Penske Racing No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger, qualified in the 23rd starting position for Saturday night’s Dodge Challenger 500 at the newly-paved Darlington Raceway.
 
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams were allowed four practice sessions prior to qualifying for the Dodge Challenger 500. Although he received a “Darlington Stripe,” Hornish Jr. was the fastest rookie in first practice on Thursday. After another brush with the wall in practice on Friday, the Mobil 1 crew quickly went to work repairing the racecar.

Just hours later during qualifying, Hornish Jr. posted a fast lap time of 27.849 seconds at a speed of 176.581 miles per hour. The effort secured the No. 77 team the 23rd starting position on Saturday night.

“I’m very proud of the Mobil 1 crew for working so hard after we wrecked in practice this afternoon,” said Hornish Jr. “They made the necessary repairs to the Mobil 1 Dodge and did a really good job fixing the car. I got loose out there in qualifying while coming off of turn four and I had to get out of the gas. Coming here for the first time and not really having any kind of experience here, I’m pretty happy with where we're at."

The Dodge Challenger 500 will air live on FOX on Saturday, May 10, 2008 beginning at 7:00 p.m. EDT. The race will also be broadcast live on MRN beginning at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
 
 
Driver:           Sam Hornish Jr.
Position:      23 
Time:           27.849
Speed:         176.581    
 
Pole:           Greg Biffle
Speed:         179.442
Time:          27.405
 
 
Penske Racing Teammates:
 
5. Kurt Busch 
32. Ryan Newman