Penske still considering Hornish for #22 ride

NASCAR team owner Roger Penske said Sam Hornish Jr. will have a place in his driver lineup in 2013. But whether that is in Penske's much-discussed #22 car in Sprint Cup, in a third Cup car or in a Nationwide Series car has yet to be determined. "At the end of the day, no matter how we end up, Sam's going to have a ride with us in 2013," Penske told USA TODAY Sports before Sunday's Izod IndyCar Series race in downtown Baltimore. Sunday night's Advocare 500 will mark Hornish's eighth Cup race in the #22 since A.J. Allmendinger was removed (and subsequently fired) for a positive drug test. Hornish has produced a best Cup finish of fifth at Watkins Glen International while continuing his quest toward a Nationwide championship in Penske's No. 12 (he ranks third in the standings).

"He's getting better and better. He's got a lot more confidence," Penske said. "I think he's getting more respect on the racetrack, which you need. He's done a great job, coming in like he has." Joey Logano has been rumored to be the leading candidate for the #22, and Penske has said he'd like to announce something before the Chase for the Sprint Cup opener Sept. 16 at Chicagoland Speedway. "We're close," he said Sunday. USA Today