News

SAM HORNISH JR.
No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger
Michigan International Speedway – Carfax 400     
August 16, 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 his home track of Michigan International Speedway this weekend for the Carfax 400. Hornish hails from nearby Defiance, Ohio, located approximately 45 minutes south of the track. Hornish and his wife Crystal maintain a residence in the Northwest Ohio town and are actively involved in the local community, donating charitable funds for the creation a senior center in memory and honor of his grandmother as well as a heart center located at the Defiance Medical Center.
• 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, August 16 from 10 – 10:30 a.m. EDT at Michigan International Speedway.

Sam Hornish Jr. on Michigan International Speedway
“I’ve always loved racing at Michigan International Speedway and it is a very special track to me. It is like Charlotte in that there are multiple lines you can choose from but, unlike Charlotte, Michigan is a very low-grip surface. Low-grip tracks allow you to find the best place for your car to work for the best results.

“We had a tough race at Watkins Glen this week. I took a pretty big hit, but the cars are safe and I’m thankful that we do everything that we do to be as safe as we can. I’ve got a couple bumps and bruises, but all in all, I’m pretty good. I’m happy about that and I’m looking forward to getting back out there and, hopefully, having a much better weekend at Michigan. Nothing would feel better than to put on a good show for my hometown crowd.” 

Crew Chief Travis Geisler on Michigan International Speedway
“Michigan International Speedway (MIS) is as close as it gets to a home track for Sam and I. Racing in front of a hometown crowd always makes you want to do your best. Not to mention, it is a home track for our owner, Roger Penske, and Dodge. We struggled during the June race at MIS but I feel like we learned some important lessons and our team has improved since then. It takes everything to run well at Michigan, horsepower, fuel mileage, aero and good handling. I think this weekend will be a good test for the Mobil 1 team.”