DETROIT — Ryan Briscoe could be the “Comeback Kid” of the IndyCar Series if Sam Hornish, Jr. departs for NASCAR Nextel Cup, as he is expected to do at the end of this season.
According to Penske Racing President Tim Cindric, Briscoe is “at the top of our list” to replace Hornish if the three-time IndyCar champion decides to join Nextel Cup full-time in 2008. Hornish will make his Nextel Cup debut in two weeks at New Hampshire Int’l Raceway in the first race in “The Chase for the Championship.”
Although no official announcement has been made that Hornish will definitely be in NASCAR next season that appears to be the direction he is heading.
With a prime IndyCar seat opening up at Penske Racing, Briscoe could be the choice to move over from Penske’s American Le Mans Porsche team to the IndyCar operation down the hall at the team’s massive racing complex in Mooresville, N.C.
“I’m waiting to see how things evolve from now and I really have no idea,” Briscoe said. “It’s between this again (ALMS) or if the possibility comes up to move back to the IRL (IndyCar Series). We have to play it by ear a little bit.
“We’ll see what we have on the table and play our cards.”
But from listening to those in the IndyCar paddock, it’s not a question of “if” Hornish leaves but a matter of “when” he announces his decision.
“That would open up a seat at Penske and if he goes to NASCAR whether that becomes my seat or not we’ll have to wait and see,” Briscoe said. “They would be big shoes to fill, that’s for sure. I’m sure I’d have all the right people around me to step up, be competitive and win races. I really look up to Sam Hornish ever since I came to the United States.
“When I was at Target/Chip Ganassi Racing I was always watching what he did because I thought he was the best guy out there.”
And moving Briscoe into the No. 6 IndyCar would be the logical move. Briscoe made a triumphant return to the Indianapolis 500 in May for Luczo-Dragon Racing, a team co-owned by Steve Luczo and Jay Penske, Roger Penske’s youngest son.
Cindric has been a key part of Hornish’s NASCAR effort and wants to make the driver who replaces him in IndyCar a good fit.
“At the point where we make that decision if that seat is open, Ryan is certainly the lead candidate to do that,” Cindric said. “That decision hasn’t been made and he is aware of that. I talk to Ryan on a weekly basis.
“What I like about Ryan as well is he said, ‘Hey, I have a great opportunity where I am. You guys do what you think is the right thing moving forward.’ There is no pressure on us making a decision.”