[vincesanity82]

It's no secret that Roger Penske's NASCAR operation has been struggling the past few years, despite Ryan Newman's Daytona 500 victory. And there have been hints that Penske's newest driver, Indy star Sam Hornish Jr. may not be having all that much fun on the NASCAR tour. Hornish is 33rd in the standings and has yet to have a really decent run. So Penske has just hired David Stremme � a three-year NASCAR veteran who car owner Chip Ganassi cut loose last season � ostensibly as a "test driver." Speculation is that if Hornish decides to return to Indy-car racing, then Penske would have Stremme standing by to fill the ride. Stremme, 30, has been without a NASCAR Cup ride this season. -- Winston-Salem Journal

Winston-Salem Journal | NASCAR Notebook: Testing at Lowe's will now be allowed

[Fireball]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

It's no secret that Roger Penske's NASCAR operation has been struggling the past few years, despite Ryan Newman's Daytona 500 victory. And there have been hints that Penske's newest driver, Indy star Sam Hornish Jr. may not be having all that much fun on the NASCAR tour. Hornish is 33rd in the standings and has yet to have a really decent run. So Penske has just hired David Stremme � a three-year NASCAR veteran who car owner Chip Ganassi cut loose last season � ostensibly as a "test driver." Speculation is that if Hornish decides to return to Indy-car racing, then Penske would have Stremme standing by to fill the ride. Stremme, 30, has been without a NASCAR Cup ride this season. -- Winston-Salem Journal

Winston-Salem Journal | NASCAR Notebook: Testing at Lowe's will now be allowed

Sure it's a "struggle" to win the Daytona 500. A Penske team won the 12 hours of Sebring the following week. That was a struggle too. Oh yeah, Penske cars didn't win the opening IRL race in Homestead. But they had a very good showing.

The hiring of David Stremme was smart. If (and its a good probability) Sam decides to run the Indy 500, Stremme will be a quality set-in for him. Also, Stremme would be a prime candidate for the Penske 4th team. This would align Penske with Hendrick, Roush, and Childress.

Rogers has been doing this for many years and I don't see him faltering now.

[bob101]

I don't think many of the open wheel guys will stay long term, just as that article stated they are not having "fun".

Why would they? They didn't grow up wanting to run stock cars. To them it's a financial bonus and the fun comes from running good. When they are stuck in the back I imagine it's not fun and the new wears off pretty fast.

If you grew up on dirt cars or modifieds and worked your way up thru say ARCA, Truck, Nationwide, then Cup you would be having a lot more fun finishing 30th in your first 10 cup races than these open wheel guys are.

Just my thinkings I could be totally wrong. Not to mention you think they really "hang out" with the cup guys and BS like they do? Probably not.

[Bob Tanner]

It isn't going to happen for Hornish this season. Nor for Franchitti, either.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

It isn't going to happen for Hornish this season. Nor for Franchitti, either.

If they don't like it, then I say don't let the gate hit them in the a$$ on their way out

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by Quality88

If they don't like it, then I say don't let the gate hit them in the a$$ on their way out

Hey Quality, I've never heard that Sam Hornish didn't like NASCAR. I don't know where you picked that up. He's not leaving anytome soon. Hornish will get the hang of these heavy weight cars soon and will be real competitive, just like he was in the Indy car ranks. He just needs a little time.

Also, Roger Penske has called Rusty Wallace to let him know these reports about Hornish and the Indy 500 is all in the minds of the media. Hornish will not race in this year's Indy 500. That's the current message from Roger Penske, for now. See ESPN - Franchitti, Hornish concentrating on NASCAR, won't race in Indy 500 - Racing

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

Hey Quality, I've never heard that Sam Hornish didn't like NASCAR. I don't know where you picked that up. He's not leaving anytome soon. Hornish will get the hang of these heavy weight cars soon and will be real competitive, just like he was in the Indy car ranks. He just needs a little time.

Also, Roger Penske has called Rusty Wallace to let him know these reports about Hornish and the Indy 500 is all in the minds of the media. Hornish will not race in this year's Indy 500. That's the current message from Roger Penske, for now. See ESPN - Franchitti, Hornish concentrating on NASCAR, won't race in Indy 500 - Racing

Never said he didn't Biscuit, I said if he didn't like it(the situation) he could leave. Don't really matter to me. He can stay or go.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner
It isn't going to happen for Hornish this season. Nor for Franchitti, either.
If they don't like it, then I say don't let the gate hit them in the a$$ on their way out

What I meant to say, Dustin, was that neither will run the Indy 500 this year. My best guess is that they'll be in Cup for, at least another year.

Someone asked, 'Why would they want to stay?" Simple reason, not only as to why they'd stay but why they came over in the first place, M-O-N-E-Y.

For example, last year, Franchitti won the Indy 500 and the IRL Championship. He made a total of $4,017,583. His IRL Championship efforts would have put him 15th on the NASCAR list, right behind David Ragan.

Jimmy won the Cup and took home $7,646,421. That doesn't include endorsements and trinkets&thrash sales, which far overshadow those of the IRL.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

What I meant to say, Dustin, was that neither will run the Indy 500 this year. My best guess is that they'll be in Cup for, at least another year.

Someone asked, 'Why would they want to stay?" Simple reason, not only as to why they'd stay but why they came over in the first place, M-O-N-E-Y.

For example, last year, Franchitti won the Indy 500 and the IRL Championship. He made a total of $4,017,583. His IRL Championship efforts would have put him 15th on the NASCAR list, right behind David Ragan.

Jimmy won the Cup and took home $7,646,421. That doesn't include endorsements and trinkets&thrash sales, which far overshadow those of the IRL.

One point to consider when computing those numbers is that IRL doesn't run a 36 race schedule. If memory serves me correct they run about 20 less races.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

One point to consider when computing those numbers is that IRL doesn't run a 36 race schedule. If memory serves me correct they run about 20 less races.

Point taken. If you average up the dollars per race you come up to around $212K per race in NA__AR to $251K in IRL.

However, I stand by my last paragraph:
"Jimmy won the Cup and took home $7,646,421. That doesn't include endorsements and trinkets&thrash sales, which far overshadow those of the IRL."

Even though Dario and the others aren't NA__AR "rock stars," I'll bet the endorsements and T&T, plus whatever dollars gets spun off via the TV contracts, will more than make up for the difference.

Then you have exposure, which I believe translate into dollars indirectly. With the exception of the Indy 500 IRL and Cart plays to a meager audience in the stands. NA__AR, OTOH, with the obvious exception of California, plays to a sizeable house.

I don't know how you would put an exact price on it but, IMHO, I can think of little less motivating than to be one of the highest levels of racing and have to actually pay for TV coverage and to race in front of empty grandstands.