Sam Hornish Jr. to run Cup races at Kansas, Talladega

Sam Hornish Jr.

Sam Hornish Jr. will get a chance to redeem himself at NASCAR’s highest level when he runs Sprint Cup races at Kansas Speedway next week and Talladega next month for Penske Racing.

The three-time IndyCar Series champion is running the full Nationwide Series for Penske after struggling during his initial foray into NASCAR.

Hornish ran the full Cup schedule for Penske from 2008-10 but scored just two top-five and eight top-10 finishes in 109 starts and finished 28th or worse in points all three seasons.

He ran just one Cup race and 13 Nationwide Series races last year, but scored his first NASCAR win when he won the Nationwide race at Phoenix. He is currently fifth in Nationwide points with two top-10 finishes this year.

“It’s a great opportunity on an off weekend for the Nationwide Series to go get a little bit more Cup experience," Hornish said. “I’m really excited about the opportunity to go out there and have some fun."

Hornish will have to qualify for both races on speed.