Briscoe lined up to replace Hornish

[Peno]

I just don't think that Briscoe could do well on the ovals, but he could be a force on the road courses if he keeps a cool head, but I also think Hornish will stay anyway.

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by drdisque

With Hornish's lack of performance so far in Cup, I think the decision that he is leaving IndyCar is now far from assured.

Surely such a decision would have been made by now. You test someone in Busch but once they are given a run in Nextel you would have to think its carried out for more than evaluation.

Maybe a full time Busch (or Nationwide) deal could be on the cards for Hornish

[drdisque]

The cars Busch will use next year will be the old car while Cup will run the Car of Tomorrow, so a year in Busch would only get him more familiar with the tracks but get him no more familiar with the car.

I agree that Sam's run in Cup is for more than evaluation, it's for experience, however he isn't gaining any experience when he's not making the races.

[Mystery]

Sam failed again - only 47th fastest out of 49 today

[D.R.T.]

Maybe a full season in Busch is on the cards

[ensign14]

So, at the moment it seems ARCA > IRL...

[Peno]

http://www.jayski.com/teams/77.htm

Well the situation is that Hornish hasn't made a Cup race yet, although Penske may transfer Busch's top-35 points to Hornish's car for the first five races and Busch can qualify on his Champions provisional. Rumours have even been that Hornish may be announced to drive for the Cup team full-time at Phoenix.

Does that leave the door open for Briscoe? We shall see....

[Dudley]

Hornish indeed confirmed in the 77.

[Mystery]

The Indy Star says that Briscoe is expected to be confirmed next week after a contract has been sorted.

[D.R.T.]

Briscoe is a very talented driver, however this outcome is another net loss for the IRL and AOW.

[stradlin21]

a complete and total loss, the IRL does need talented drivers (as just described by DRT) in the series

it needs people such as Tristan Gommendy, Mario Dominguez and Jan Helyen

they are the real pay driver deal! big it up!

[D.R.T.]

To the american public, what is the difference between those drivers you mention and Briscoe ?

Care to explain how this is a gain for the IRL, stradlin ?

[stradlin21]

You mean the loss of Sam Hornish Jr?

Hornish is a three time champion, an Indy 500 winner.

The IRL has seen the best of Hornish many many times, Hornish has acheived everything possible..

It's now time for him to move on and good luck to him (i believe he's in the Cup race tomorrow)

The IRL now has a young, exciting driver but one who has learnt from mistakes in the past. He hasn't turned up with a big fat cheque like drivers from Champ Car's joke revolving door championship, he's there because of one thing, talent

Few have commented about the recent influx of non americans to NASCAR as well. Jacques Villeneuve, Juan Montoya, Dario Franchitti and Patrick Carpentier

Villeneuve will/has replace Mayfield (US)
Franchitti will replace Stremme (US)
Carpentier has already replaced Riggs (US)

hey, it happens!! Good old Americans like Seb Bourdais, Paul Tracy, Robert Doornbos and Justin Wilson can't all arrive in the IRL at once you know! lol!!!

Not to mention the jokers like Dominguez and the crew

deary me!

[luke]

I do love how CC is brought up in every post on this forum.

[stradlin21]

I love the way that DRT is always so quick to post or report anything negative about the IRL

whether it be his own opinions or those of Dr Miller

He didn't show the same kind of urgency to report that the '18th' car for Champ Car's Mexico race fell through and hasn't appeared

i'm just trying to balance the double standards Luke

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by stradlin21

You mean the loss of Sam Hornish Jr?

Hornish is a three time champion, an Indy 500 winner.

The IRL has seen the best of Hornish many many times, Hornish has acheived everything possible..

It's now time for him to move on and good luck to him (i believe he's in the Cup race tomorrow)

The IRL now has a young, exciting driver but one who has learnt from mistakes in the past. He hasn't turned up with a big fat cheque like drivers from Champ Car's joke revolving door championship, he's there because of one thing, talent

Few have commented about the recent influx of non americans to NASCAR as well. Jacques Villeneuve, Juan Montoya, Dario Franchitti and Patrick Carpentier

Villeneuve will/has replace Mayfield (US)
Franchitti will replace Stremme (US)
Carpentier has already replaced Riggs (US)

hey, it happens!! Good old Americans like Seb Bourdais, Paul Tracy, Robert Doornbos and Justin Wilson can't all arrive in the IRL at once you know! lol!!!

Not to mention the jokers like Dominguez and the crew

deary me!

As luke states, great post but you barely talk about the IRL ?

Tell me again how this is not a net loss for the IRL

[stradlin21]

read the start of the post DRT

[D.R.T.]

Yes, a review of how successful Sam Hornish Jr was in the IRL. Evidence of how well known and popular he was in the IRL. An important drawcard gone.

No one is doubting Briscoe's talents, but AOW wheel needs more than talent now. The Hornish - Briscoe trade doesnt break event.

[Knowlesy]

Yes, the Hornish/Briscoe swap is more of a blow than a plus point. As is the loss of Franchitti. But luckily there are still other guys who remain.

[climb]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Briscoe is a very talented driver, however this outcome is another net loss for the IRL and AOW.

Was JPM departure a loss for F1?

Even the most passionate fan of him must admit he was completely demotivated; so F1 lost nothing when her left.

Sam Hornisch has been a great protagonist (3 titles, 1 Indy) in IRL for many years, and it's absolutely natural for him to search for new motivations.
Then despite his undisputable talent (I'm happy you have discovered it now, ironically CC fans have never found him so talented when he would win in IRL , but nevermind) it's good both for him and IRL that he moves out.
A replacement like Briscoe would be good IMO

And the same is true for Franchitti, AGR won't have many problems in finding a good alternative

[JohnSSC]

I would agree at least in part with climb on this one.

Hornish has never had the "star power" one would associate with a driver of his accomplishments. This has been rather puzzling to me in a series where an American born driver, who is also successful, is a resource in short supply.

To stradlin's point, it may not be a "plus" that Briscoe is another import, but at least the ride did not go up for sale to the highest bidder. Penske has always put the best talent he could in the seat. So has Ganassi. To an extent, AGR has done this as well along with Rahal/Letterman.

When you contrast that to the current musical chairs thing in CC where you have essentially one team where talent over rides $$, the difference is somewhat striking. Well, a lot striking...

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Never mind the CC comparision, loosing a star US driver and getting a possibly good (he's raced in sportscars this year, very different from oval racing mind you) Aussie is not exactly great. Atleast he's not outgoing champion!

Problem is, who should have gotten the ride, if we look at US OW talent? Are there really any upcoming starts? If Briscoe's only competition was Schekter, then that makes we worry more for junior OW as a whole. The two top drivers in IPS weren't american were they...

[stradlin21]

Originally Posted by JohnSSC

I would agree at least in part with climb on this one.

Hornish has never had the "star power" one would associate with a driver of his accomplishments. This has been rather puzzling to me in a series where an American born driver, who is also successful, is a resource in short supply.

To stradlin's point, it may not be a "plus" that Briscoe is another import, but at least the ride did not go up for sale to the highest bidder. Penske has always put the best talent he could in the seat. So has Ganassi. To an extent, AGR has done this as well along with Rahal/Letterman.

When you contrast that to the current musical chairs thing in CC where you have essentially one team where talent over rides $$, the difference is somewhat striking. Well, a lot striking...

agreed John

looking at it from a distance it's not hard to see who has the biggest problems

it is indeed, a lot striking

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by climb

Was JPM departure a loss for F1?

Even the most passionate fan of him must admit he was completely demotivated; so F1 lost nothing when her left.

No, but then F1 is never short of a star draw is it? It sure as hell doesn't rely on one guy all the time and only the fans of a certain driver rue their eventual loss. Whenever a star leaves, a star/potential star joins. Does anyone even remember Hakkinen, Montoya, Schumacher when they watch a race? No, not really.

AOWR is a very different kettle of fish. A star name leaving is a problem for two categories already struggling to identify with the American public. Champcar has lost Bourdais and will possibly lose Wilson, leaving it with a grid more miserable than anything I have ever seen. The prospect of Rahal vs Doornbos vs Power, whilst undoubtedly new and fresh, is hardly a riveting thing. Indycar has lost two champs within weeks and I am not sure that Joe Public is jumping up and down excitedly because Ryan Brisoe has filled the breach.

This is really quite a serious problem, exacerbated by the lack of anyone coming the other way.

[ozrevhead]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Yes, the Hornish/Briscoe swap is more of a blow than a plus point. As is the loss of Franchitti. But luckily there are still other guys who remain.

why is that

really he should of got a drive in ChampCar before he went to ALMS - unfortunatly he didnt have the big sponsorship $$$ and he ran into the publicity generator that was too tempting to refuse in Dianca Patrick!

I still stand by my 'getting a decent drive comment' as I see a decent drive as someone signing him more than one year - its getting a bit on my nerves atmo!