No. 12 Federated Auto Parts 300 Preview
Sam Hornish Jr looks to make his seventh start of the season at Nashville Superspeedway.
July 19, 2011
No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Team News and Notes
• Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger, will make his seventh start of the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) season Saturday evening in the Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway
• From 2006 to present, Hornish has made a total of 26 Nationwide Series starts. He has scored eight top-15 finishes during that time and has also captured three top-five, five top-10 and eleven top-15 starting positions while competing in a limited NNS schedule over the last five plus seasons.
• This weekend marks the seventh outing together for Hornish and crew chief, Chad Walter, who called the shots for the No. 12 Penske Racing Nationwide Series team in the past and helped guide driver Justin Allgaier to top-six championship finishes in each of the last two seasons.
• Hornish enjoyed a strong qualifying result in his last NNS start as he earned a second-place starting spot at Michigan International Speedway on June 18.
• In seven career starts in the IndyCar Series at Nashville, Hornish earned four top-five and five top-10 results, including a pair of runner-up finishes (2004, 2005). He led 195 laps of racing at the venue.
Sam Hornish Jr. comments on this weekend's Federated Auto Parts 300
"As always, I am extremely excited to get back behind the wheel of the No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge. The team has been working really hard back in the shop between races to get this Dodge Challenger ready for this weekend. It will be interesting because the race will start during the day and end at night. We have been knocking on the door for a pole position and a strong finish so hopefully we can make it happen this weekend with the Alliance Truck Parts Dodge."
Crew Chief Chad Walter comments on this weekend's Federated Auto Parts 300
"We are anxiously awaiting our run at Nashville. With the new COT style cars, it will be a new challenge for the No. 12 Alliance crew to get setup for the 1 1/3 mile concrete oval. During the hot summer months, the high temperatures should provide for a slick track and getting overall grip will be our primary goal. We are fortunate to have a good notebook from our No. 22 car teammates, who have raced at Nashville once already this season. The concrete track will change drastically from day to night and with rubber building on the track during both practices and the race, the immediate focus will be on a good qualifying result, for initial track position and pit stall selection. Nashville is very much a rhythm track, and Sam will need to stay focused for the entire event. The whole crew is looking forward to Music City and another strong run for the Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger."