Hornish to Start 35th at Phoenix International Raceway
April 17, 2009
AVONDALE, Ariz. (April 17, 2009) - Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the Penske Racing No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger, qualified 35th for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday night.
Phoenix International Raceway is a significant track in Hornish’s racing career. The “Jewel of the Desert” is the site of his first IndyCar Series win (3/18/01), his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut (11/11/07) and his first race in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (11/11/06).
The 21st competitor to make a qualifying attempt, Hornish posted a fast lap time of 27.286 seconds at a speed of 131.936 miles per hour. The effort secured the Mobil 1 team the 35th spot on the starting grid.
“We definitely would have liked to have qualified better than we did today,” said Hornish. “The Mobil 1 Dodge was pretty good all day in practice and will race well tomorrow night. Unfortunately, track position is key at shorter tracks like Phoenix so we will have to work to get the Mobil 1 Dodge back up front tomorrow.”
Coverage of the Subway Fresh Fit 500 will air live on Saturday, April 18 on the FOX television network beginning at 8 p.m. EDT and will also broadcast live on MRN at 7:45 p.m. EDT.
Driver: Sam Hornish Jr.
Position: 35
Time: 27.286
Speed: 131.936
Pole: Mark Martin
Time: 26.903
Speed: 133.814
Penske Racing Teammates:
3. Kurt Busch
19. David Stremme