Is Hornish Jr. ready to defend IndyCar crown?

Autoracing Betting Lines

03/22/2007 - Homestead, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - If Roger Penske can pull his star driver away from his current infatuation with NASCAR, it's time for Sam Hornish Jr. to defend his 2006 IndyCar Series crown.

Hornish Jr. won the title by the thinnest of margins - a tiebreaker over Dan Wheldon. Both drivers finished the season with 475 points, but the Defiance, OH native took the title by virtue of his four wins to Wheldon's two.

Hornish Jr. has spent some of his off-season testing the NASCAR waters. So far this season the three-time IndyCar Series champion has run three times in the Busch Series finishing 31st at Daytona, 35th at California and a solid 15th in Atlanta.

"I think we had a top-10 car, but to be able to go a lap down, come back late in the race, get back on the lead lap and give ourselves an opportunity to move up in the top-15 was good," said Hornish Jr. "It's the best finish we've had so far, so we can't be too disappointed."

He has also announced that he would like to run the Nextel Cup race at Indianapolis. But his first priority in 2007 is defending his championship.

"I'm really excited about getting going in the IndyCar Series and for the kickoff this year," said Hornish Jr. in a recent teleconference interview.

Hornish Jr. will again have to fend off teammate Helio Castroneves (finished third just two points back) along with Wheldon and his Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon. Wheldon won the title in 2005 with Andretti Green Racing and Dixon won the championship in 2003.

All four should be right there again in 2007.

The real question in 2007 is can AGR rebound from an off-year to compete for the championship. The team has plenty of talent in 2004 IndyCar champion Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti, Danica Patrick and Dario Franchitti.

In 2004 Kanaan had one of the most remarkable seasons ever when he won three times and finished in the top-5 a record 15 of 16 events. He completed every lap (3,305) that season (only driver to ever accomplish that feat) and led a record 889 laps.

Dario Franchitti certainly has the ability to win a championship though his best finish to date is fourth in 2005.

The other two members of the team are "media darlings" who are still very young and improving each year. Patrick, who finished a career-best ninth overall in 2006 is very good in qualifying, but is still learning how to race with the "big boys."

Andretti, son of Michael Andretti and grandson of legend Mario Andretti, exploded on the scene in 2006 when he nearly won the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500. He finished second to Hornish Jr. when the series champion made a pass on the final straightaway.

Hornish Jr. got past Michael Andretti and on lap 198 of 200 took a shot in turn three for the lead. But Marco Andretti got to the corner first and Hornish Jr. fell back about six lengths.

"I thought that it was over when I didn't get by him in (turn) three," said Hornish Jr.

The three-time IndyCar Series champion gathered up his Penske Honda and made one last effort. He closed onto Marco Andretti's bumper as they entered the final two turns. Marco was still ahead as they came out of turn four and could see the finish line and the last "yard of bricks."

Hornish Jr. made one last move on the inside and got alongside Marco Andretti as they neared the checkered flag. Hornish Jr. edged Marco at the finish line by just 0.0635 seconds.

Marco came back later in the season to grab his first IndyCar win at the Infineon Raceway and finished seventh overall. He should improve in 2007 and must improve to satisfy his fans and family members.

These three teams - Penske, Ganassi and Andretti Green should win the majority of this year's events and compete for the crown.

Last year's Homestead-Miami Indy 300 was won by Wheldon who edged Castroneves by 0.0147 seconds.

With only a few laps to go Wheldon battled side-by-side with Castroneves for the lead. On lap 200, with Castroneves on the inside and Wheldon on the outside, the eventual winner got his nose ahead of Castroneves. But it wasn't much of a lead as they headed for the final two turns. They were still side- by-side and maybe six inches apart as they crossed the finish line with Wheldon about two feet in front of the red and white nose of Castroneves' race car.

But the race was run under a dark cloud after Rahal-Letterman driver Paul Dana was killed in a practice crash. Ed Carpenter (also injured in the crash) and Dana's teammates Patrick and Buddy Rice did not compete.

The season opener is scheduled for Saturday night under the lights.