Sam Hornish Jr.

When Sam Hornish Jr. was selected to replace Scott Goodyear at Panther Racing in 2001, some wondered if the Indy Racing League team knew what it was doing.

After all, Goodyear was a proven veteran with wins and poles to his credit and Hornish was a second-year driver with only a handful of starts under his belt.

The move turned out to be a good one as Hornish dominated the IRL IndyCar Series in 2001, winning three races, finishing in the top-10 12 times and capturing his first championship. Along the way he became the youngest ever Indy-style titlist.

The performance was light years ahead of his rookie campaign, which included just two finishes in the top 10 and 38 laps led. He finished fourth in the rookie-of-the-year standings.

Hornish repeated as champion in 2002 on the back of five race wins.

In 2004, Hornish drove for Penske Racing, replacing Gil de Ferran, who retired after the 2003 season.

Since joining Penske, Hornish has continued to be competitive and finished in third place in the 2005 championship after winning twice in the season.

In 2006, the Defiance, Ohio native recaptured the championship touch, holding off stiff competition from teammate Helio Castroneves and Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s duo of Dan Wheldon and Scott Dixon.

Hornish recorded four victories in the season including the prestigious Indianapolis 500, which he won with a last second pass on then-rookie Marco Andretti as they were approaching the checkered flag. He also scored victories at Kansas, Richmond and Kentucky. With a third place finish at the season-ending Peak Antifreeze Indy 300 at Chicagoland Speedway, Hornish finished the year tied in points with 2005 champion Dan Wheldon. However, by virtue of having more wins (Wheldon only won twice), the Penske driver won his third championship, and first for his organization.

With most of his IRL IndyCar Series goals accomplished, Hornish has begun testing the stock car waters, competing in the No. 12 Mobil Dodge for Penske Racing at the final two events in 2006 and several in 2007. However, his focus will remain on the IRL as he attempts to successfully defend his championship.

Hornish got his start in open-wheel racing in karts, and then went on to compete in the U.S. F2000 Series and the Toyota Atlantic Series before his IRL success.