News

SAM HORNISH JR.
No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger
Bristol Motor Speedway – Sharpie 500     
August 22, 2009

Mobil 1 Team News and Notes of Interest
• Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the Penske Racing No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger, captured his second top-five finish in three races this past weekend at Michigan International Speedway. Employing successful fuel mileage strategy, the No. 77 team overcame a one-lap penalty to become the highest-finishing Dodge in the field at Hornish’s home track.
• Hornish has three top-15 finishes, with two top-10 results, this season in short track competition. Hornish earned his first top-10 finish this season with a ninth-place effort at Phoenix and he followed that up with a sixth-place showing at Richmond and a 13th-place run at Dover.
• 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 Saturday, August 22 from 3 – 3:30 p.m. EDT at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Sam Hornish Jr. on Bristol Motor Speedway
“We are coming off another top-five finish this weekend and I think we are all excited to return to Bristol Motor Speedway. It is an exciting race and definitely a fan favorite. The track is very demanding on drivers and teams and you have to avoid problems on track and on pit road.

“We have found success this season at the short tracks and it’s been really gratifying to see how much this No. 77 team has improved. I’ve really grown to like the short tracks. I wouldn’t have thought that I would have two top-10s and a top-15 finish this year at short tracks. I still feel like I’m learning all the time and having strong runs is a real momentum builder for this Mobil 1 team.”

Crew Chief Travis Geisler on Bristol Motor Speedway
“With close racing the norm, Bristol is one of the toughest races on the circuit as tempers always flare. We have had top-five finishes in two of the last three races and have climbed to 26th in point standings, not to mention a string of strong runs at short tracks this season. This is an important race for us to survive in order to close the gap to the top-20.

"This weekend’s race marks my first full year working with Sam and the No. 77 team as crew chief. I am proud of the progress everyone has made and the dedication we all have to succeed. We look forward to putting on a good show for the Mobil 1 Dodge fans this weekend.”