Penske may consider points swap for Hornish

By Bob Pockrass
Monday, October 29, 2007
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HAMPTON, Ga. - With Sam Hornish having trouble qualifying for Cup races - he has missed all six he has attempted this year - Penske Racing may consider making a points swap to get Hornish into races in 2008.

With Kurt Busch having won the 2004 Nextel Cup championship, Penske could transfer the points earned by Busch's No. 2 team to Hornish, which would lock him into the top 35 for the first five races of next season. Busch would get into those races as the most recent past champion if he failed to qualify on speed.

NASCAR officials confirmed that a move would be allowed.

"There are all sorts of discussions, and I see guys buying teams and different things," team owner Roger Penske said. "We're right now trying to focus on getting him in a race. We'll look at our options once we get closer to the end of the season."

If Penske makes such a move, it could put a crimp in the plans of Dale Jarrett, the 1999 champion who hopes to use his past champions' provisional if he does not qualify for races at the start of next season. Jarrett is planning to run only the first five points races next year before retiring.

Penske said he is committed to fielding three Sprint Cup cars next year for Busch, Hornish and Ryan Newman. A three-time Indy Racing League champion, Hornish had planned to run some races this year and then decide whether to go full time next season.

"We haven't made the decision," Penske said. "We're disappointed, obviously, we haven't been able to get him in a race. But we've got to keep on our plan."

That plan is for Hornish to run Cup next season. Penske said he has not talked to other drivers for the third team.

"Our plan [is] to run three cars next year or we wouldn't be running Sam the way we are," Penske said. "We have sponsors, and we have a program, we have people. It's a matter of executing here and getting in a race."

Mentioned Drivers: Kurt Busch

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2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings

Driver Standings after the AMP Energy 500

1 Jimmie Johnson 6248
2 Mark Martin -184
3 Jeff Gordon -192
4 Juan Pablo Montoya -239
5 Tony Stewart -279
6 Kurt Busch -312
7 Greg Biffle -340
8 Ryan Newman -402
9 Kasey Kahne -414
10 Carl Edwards -437
11 Denny Hamlin -448
12 Brian Vickers -556

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