Hornish finally qualifies

Now that Sam Hornish Jr. has officially thrown his hat into the Nextel Cup Series ring, it was only appropriate he should make a race. Hornish Jr. will make his first series start in seven tries as he qualified for Sunday’s Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. He was 26th fastest overall and third among those drivers not locked in the field in the top 35 in car owner points.