Auto racing: Hornish Jr. entertaining thoughts of NASCAR

Sam Hornish Jr. has already exceeded the modest goals he set as a young kid whose biggest dream was to someday drive in an Indianapolis 500.

Having won at the Brickyard a year ago, and with three IndyCar Series titles under his racing suit, at the age of 28 he’s taking a long, hard look at what he wants to do next and whether it includes a risky jump to NASCAR.

“It’s safe to say that the challenge of it intrigues me,” Hornish said in the midst of preparations for this week’s Honda 200 in Lexington, Ohio.

Hornish is fifth in the IRL driver standings heading into the race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. He is financially secure. At the same time, after eight years in IRL, he’s eyeing something new.

“It’s a different discipline you have to learn, the tools you have to use are different.”

Hamilton fastest

Formula One rookie Lewis Hamilton, who is leading the championship set the pace for the European Grand Prix in Nuerburgring, Germany, during practice runs for Sunday’s race. He had the fastest time of the day in 1 minute, 32.515 seconds on the 3.2-mile circuit.

Bourdais takes pole

Sebastien Bourdais captured the provisional pole for the Rexall Grand Prix of Edmonton (Alberta), adding a point to his total and moving Bourdais into a tie with Will Power for second place in the Champ Car World Series – two points behind surprising rookie leader Robert Doornbos.

Bourdais led the day with a lap of 58.708 seconds (120.983 mph).