All-Star Showdown: Sam Hornish Jr qualifying rain notes

Hornish to Start Eighth in Showdown at Lowe's Motor Speeday

CONCORD, N.C. (May 15, 2009) Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the Penske Racing No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger, will start eighth in the Showdown on Saturday night at Lowes Motor Speedway after Fridays qualifying session was cancelled due to rain.

The Showdown is the qualifying race held prior to the All-Star Race with the top two finishers and one fan vote recipient advancing directly to the main event. Last season, Hornish finished second in the Showdown and immediately transferred to the All-Star Race where he captured a seventh-place finish.

The field for this years Showdown was set by the order in which competitors were to make their qualifying attempts. The No. 77 team drew the eighth qualifying position and will line up to start the race from the same spot.

Everyone on the Mobil 1 team is excited and ready to race in the Showdown tomorrow night, said Hornish. Last season, we were able to race our way into the All-Star Race and we are hoping to the do the same this year. Its always an exciting race because there are no points on the line. We are going to push it in the Showdown because we want to advance to the All-Star Race, but well be smart out there.

Coverage of the Showdown/All-Star Race will air live on Saturday, May 16 on SPEED beginning at 7 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast live on MRN Radio at 6:45 p.m. EDT.

-credit: pr