Sam Hornish Jr.

Birthday: July 2, 1979
Hometown: Bryan, Ohio

YEAR-BY-YEAR CUP SERIES RECAP

2008 -- Finished 35th in series points. ... Finished second in Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings, seven points behind Regan Smith. ... With runner-up finish in the Sprint Showdown, raced his way into the All-Star event. ... Finished seventh in the All-Star Race.

2007 -- Finished 62nd in series points. ... Competed in two Cup events, finishing 30th at Phoenix and 37th at Homestead in November.

PREVIOUS RACING HISTORY

Ran two Busch Series races in 2006 and nine in 2007. ... Only three-time IRL champion in series history. ... IRL career started in 2000 with rookie of the year honors. ... Notched three IRL wins in 2001 on his way to first championship. ... Won five races in his 2002 championship winning season and had four wins in his 2006 championship winning season. ... Won the Indianapolis 500 in 2006.

NOTEWORTHY

Avid car collector. Included in his collection is a 1930 Model A Ford, a 1951 Mercury, a 1965 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, a 1967 Chevrolet pickup truck, a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500, a 2007 Acura TL, a 2008 GMC Sierra, a 1955 Chevrolet Del Ray, a 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV, a 1977 Kenworth W900-A semi truck and a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z-06 he received for winning the 2006 Indianapolis 500. ... Racing heroes include Rick Mears and Danny Sullivan.