Sam Hornish Jr.

Sam Hornish Jr. transitioned from an elite IndyCar career, which included three championships and the 2006 Indianapolis 500 victory, to compete in NASCAR where he made 118 Cup starts and found his greatest stock car success in the Xfinity Series. The Defiance, Ohio native won six Xfinity races and nearly captured the 2013 championship, finishing second in the final standings. The open-wheel-to-stock-car transition is one of the most difficult adjustments in motorsport, and Hornish's willingness to start essentially from scratch in NASCAR demonstrated the same competitive hunger that had driven him to three IndyCar titles. His Xfinity victories proved he could adapt his considerable talent to the demands of heavier, less aerodynamic machines. In the Cup Series, Hornish drove for Team Penske and showed flashes of the speed that had made him an open-wheel champion, but the consistency required to compete against drivers who had grown up in stock cars proved elusive. His Cup career, while statistically modest, was a learning experience that contributed to his Xfinity success. Hornish's motorsport resume -- three IndyCar championships, an Indy 500 victory, and competitive seasons across NASCAR's top two divisions -- places him among the most versatile American racers of his era. His willingness to challenge himself in an entirely new discipline reflects the restless competitive spirit that defines the greatest racers.

Written by Richard R. Glover, NASCAR Reference