News

SAM HORNISH JR.
No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger
Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Allstate 400 at the Brickyard     
July 26, 2009

Mobil 1 Team News and Notes of Interest
• Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the Penske Racing No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger, returns to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for his second career NASCAR start at the famed 2.5-mile oval. Last season, Hornish earned a 21st-place finish in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. No stranger to the historic track, Hornish is a three-time IndyCar Series champion and winner of the 2006 Indianapolis 500.
• According to 2009 NASCAR Loop Data Statistics, Hornish is ranked the second “most improved” driver from 2008, behind teammate Kurt Busch, in terms of Driver Rating. This season, Hornish has an average running position of 22.5 with the percentage of laps run inside the top-15 at 24.4%.
• Fans can now follow Sam Hornish Jr. on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SamHornish. Hornish provides followers with a glimpse inside his everyday life while keeping fans updated on the latest news for the No. 77 team.
• Hornish will be on hand to sign autographs at the Penske Racing souvenir trailer on Sunday, July 26 from 10 – 10:30 a.m. EDT at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Sam Hornish Jr. on Indianapolis Motor Speedway
“I am definitely excited about this weekend’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Being at Indy reminds me of being a kid again. My parents came here when my mom was eight months pregnant with me. I remember the excitement of coming here as a kid and one day hoping to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. This is a special place to me and I am excited for this weekend’s race.

“This Mobil 1 team has made a lot of progress at tracks with flatter surfaces like Indy. We ran strong at New Hampshire recently, and at Pocono, which is similar to this track. We earned top-10 finishes at both tracks this season and we hope to have a solid performance this weekend at Indy. No one has ever won both the IndyCar and NASCAR races at the Brickyard, and I would love to accomplish that one day."

Crew Chief Travis Geisler on Indianapolis Motor Speedway
“Going to Indianapolis Motor Speedway is always special, but going with 2006 Indy 500 champion Sam Hornish Jr. and a car owner that has won the race 15 times, there is a little extra pressure. Everyone on the Mobil 1 Dodge is focused on getting Roger a NASCAR win at Indianapolis. It is a challenging race track with little banking and very high-speed, tight corners. Goodyear has worked very hard to build a tire for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard that I am confident will produce some great racing for the fans.”