Starting With Hornish, Open-Wheel Exodus Especially Evident This Week

Sam Hornish enjoyed his first NASCAR victory this past Saturday, winning the Sprint Showdown, which qualified him for the elite all-star field. It was a major breakthrough for the 2006 Indianapolis 500 champion, who left open-wheel racing prior to the 2008 season, for NASCAR.

With the Indianapolis 500 also being held Sunday, it’s interesting to note the various former open-wheelers such as Hornish who have left open-wheel for stock cars, including:

2000 Indy 500 champion Juan Pablo Montoya;  Tony Stewart, the 1997 IndyCar Series champion; Jeff Gordon; Robby Gordon; Kasey Kahne; Casey Mears; AJ Allmendinger; Scott Speed; Dave Blaney; Max Papis.