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Sam Hornish Jr will return to an full time ride in 2015 with RPM. If you have played fantasyracing since 2006 , then you know all about Sam. Hornish is an younger Juan Pablo Montoya when it comes to stock car. From time to time , knock off a top 10. But more often then not will contend in the mid to upper teens/ twenties. Like Montoya , he cannot be trusted. Sam have yet to prove he's cup material. His best year was with Penske (filling in for Dinger) , had an 19.3 average finish in 20 races.
Sam will likely have some solid races where he looks really good. But he also will have you say , "what was I thinking picking him" on others days. Point is Hornish an bag of surprises. Never know what could come out.
His best days will be on the larger tracks like Pocono , Michigan and Auto Club. His best two tracks are Pocono and Michigan least in the past it been. His 17th at Auto Club in 2014 backs up too. In his NSCS career , he's have an 21.1 average finish on those tracks. So expect finishes in the mid to upper teens. Top 10s aren't out of the question though.
Outside of Pocono , flat tracks aren't exactly a strong suit for Hornish. At New Hampshire , he will likely make a strong case as an top 20 option. Phoenix he will be at best an top 25 value. RPM haven't exactly set the world on fire at these venues either.
On short tracks , Hornish will have his moments to shine. But he also will have some of his worse results as well. Richmond is considered his best short track and it really isn't much of a debate either. Posted finishes in the top 12 3 of previous 5 starts. At Bristol and Martinsville , I wouldn't expect anything beyond an low twenties result.
Road Couses will likely be nightmare-ish like when it comes to fantasy value and Sam. In his career , Sonoma is by far his worst track. His 35.0 average finish drives chills down my backside. His Watkins Glenn record makes a good argument , but his lone good result is an 5th. Beyond that he have finishes of 14,32 and 36. Should be noted , his 5th finish was in the 22 car. With RPM , he unlikely to match that. Sam Hornish Jr is no Marcos Ambrose at road courses. Not even close. Even though people think since he have a open wheel background he an top notch driver on the courses. In reality he's not. Open-wheel and stock car are two different forms of racing. He will likely be good for a finish in the teens.
Plate tracks probably aren't the best place to use him. In cup career , Sam have a best finish of 15th and have more often then not have finished 20th or worse. Think I would pass. Better places to use him.
At end of the day , we don't have much to go on others then past data. Honestly expect Marcos Ambrose results from 2014. Minus top finishes at the road courses. RPM equipment will limit him as well. I will probably have him penciled in at the larger oval of Pocono , Michigan and Auto Club as an legit fantasy option. Other then that it hard saying. That what the season is for though.
Twitter - @JeffNathans