Sam Hornish Jr - Is he that good?

luke · 31 Mar 2006, 20:11 (Ref:1566426)

Sam has been my favourite driver in the IRL since I've followed it since 2000. Since all the big teams moved in 2003 Sam was doing lets say poor, but since Chevrolet got it sorted out mid season, he was like '01 and '02, he couldn't stop wining, and as a result nearly won the championship in the final round at Texas as he was one of the five drivers that could have won the title.
Since he won his first race for Penske at Homestead in '04 when he piped team mate Castroneves (similar to what Wheldon did this year) I thought Sam would be the man again. Apart from the odd race he's crashed out most of the time. But now in 2006, everyone is qual, do you think Sam could win the championship and prove to everyone that he wasn't a Buddy Lazier if you were and just a champion of the early days.
If think Sam can be champion this year, and it wouldn't surprise me if he shocks a few people this weekend at St.Pete.
Does anyone think he'll be a contender in the long run? I think he can as long as he doesn't crash out. And I think he's the most promising oval driver since Rick Mears. He's also not rusty at all on the road courses, that's why I hope he wins this weekend.

Knowlesy · 31 Mar 2006, 20:27 (Ref:1566442)

I rate Sam highly and given the equipment on hand this season he has a great chance.

Although i still think Wheldon will be too strong in the end.

drdisque · 31 Mar 2006, 20:32 (Ref:1566447)

I think Sam just needs to keep his nose clean on the road courses. If he's going to win a championship this year, I think the middle and end of the season is where he's going to do it (Richmond, Milwaukee, Kentucky, Nashville, Chicagoland).

Bluewolf · 31 Mar 2006, 20:34 (Ref:1566450)

Although I'm mostly a road racing fan and Bryan Herta fan I will say that Sam is clearly a great racing driver -- He was more impressive than Helio last year overall and Helio is a great driver in his own right --- He's acclimated himself really quickly to the road courses and I believe his history is not that of a road racer --> thats impressive -- So I give him overall extremely high marks. Part of it obviously is the great Penske team too but still -- All the drivers that are with the great teams have proven themselves to be great drivers.

Snips1 · 31 Mar 2006, 20:39 (Ref:1566456)

Sam's the man!!!

He has been very competetive on road courses in pre-season tests, just 0,2s of Helio so he has improved alot there.
He led 187 of 200 laps, but a late yellow and a bad car at the end caused him the victory, I believe Sam will be the guy to beat this year¨

The championship will be decided between Hornish Jr and Wheldon, Dixon has dark horse

Knowlesy · 31 Mar 2006, 20:55 (Ref:1566475)

It's a fair point that, easily overlooked in light of the battle between Wheldon and Castro Neves at the end of the race.

Hornish largely dominated, although time-wise it wasn't by a great margin admittedly.

sr230772 · 1 Apr 2006, 12:12 (Ref:1566901)

as long as a great english driver like wheldon is in the irl sams best hope is second

luke · 1 Apr 2006, 12:14 (Ref:1566905)

Well I think Sam's main aim this year is no doubt to win the 500. Since he's been at Penske its been expected.

Xpunk75 · 1 Apr 2006, 23:12 (Ref:1567286)

I don't know where I really rate Sam, I think he is forsure in the top 10 out of the 20 drivers in the IRL but TONY K and DAN Wheldon are the two that stick out in my mind as dominate. I would rank him maybe 5th or 6th out everyone, and the way the Penske cars were going last week I think he can have a good year. You never know how these IRL road course races are going to come out in the end because of the yellows, pit strategies, it can go anyones way at any point or time. Remember the ending to last years Grand Prix? It was crazy

deejay · 2 Apr 2006, 00:23 (Ref:1567342)

I rate him highly. The Toyota powered Penske's haven't really had the power in the last couple of seasons but he should be in with a good shot this year - no excuses. I see the championship coming down to the usual suspects: Wheldon, Kanaan, Dixon, Castroneves and Hornish, with Franchitti maybe being able to step it up this year.

BootsOntheSide · 2 Apr 2006, 15:48 (Ref:1568045)

Wheldon and Kanaan seem to be stronger drivers, but I don't think anyone else is significantly better than Sam. He did a great job last weekend.

Naruto · 3 Apr 2006, 11:53 (Ref:1568947)

I thinks i got all his win a lucky time

Mystery · 3 Apr 2006, 13:21 (Ref:1569028)

Does anyone have any insights into how the heck Sam managed to take Dan out of the race? I saw the interviews and such like so know about Race Control shuffling the order but what was Sam doing at the time. Surely he had no reason to be weaving because they weren't about to restart the race - but also he wasn't penalised by race control himself so they appear to have called it a racing accident (despite the fact they weren't racing). Any ideas??

luke · 3 Apr 2006, 14:10 (Ref:1569084)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naruto

I thinks i got all his win a lucky time

Naruto, I don't quite understand you....

Gir · 4 Apr 2006, 01:34 (Ref:1569666)

I think that Sam has what it takes to win, especially to win the 500. His best move was going to Penske. If he puts his head into it, he could prob. pull it off this year

Seoigh · 4 Apr 2006, 01:36 (Ref:1569668)

Sam is a HUGE talent, and had a fantastic qualifying result at St.Pete. He seems afraid of road courses when others on on track, however. For sure things seem to be coming together for him..this could be his year.

deejay · 4 Apr 2006, 02:12 (Ref:1569684)

Helio is looking strong this year though so Sam may have a problem even beating his teammate. The drivers with road-course talent (Kanaan, Dixon, Helio) do have a bit of an advantage in terms of being able to get good points at all meetings.

luke · 22 Apr 2006, 20:47 (Ref:1592086)

Well judging by three races this year Hornish has been in good postion in all of them and is set up for the title and in he hunt. Which proves he is finally running consistently at Penske although lets be fair, the Toyota was poor last year.
It looks very strong for a Penske 1-2 again at the 500 this year.

Knowlesy · 22 Apr 2006, 20:55 (Ref:1592096)

Rather overshadowed by Castro Neves so far though....

Kicking-back · 23 Apr 2006, 18:13 (Ref:1593010)

Sam's good, but not as good as he was made to look by the car he drove to his titles....

luke · 15 May 2006, 13:29 (Ref:1610555)

I was going to create another thread discussing whether Sam will ever win the Indy 500 but this oldish topic is kind of relevant...

Sam is the only driver apart from Andretti that I'm cheering for to win this year and of course Franchitti. Sam is no doubt in the best team and car for Indy being at Penske, and every year the same question gets asked, can Sam fnally win the Indy 500? I hope this is the year he does. Anyone else think he can?

Mystery · 15 May 2006, 16:07 (Ref:1610723)

He certainly can, but somehow I think it will be Helio's year. Or maybe Danica will try and jump a start a bit later in the race this year and be allowed to keep it again.

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