Hornaday wonders what to do next

CONCORD, N.C. -- The business side of racing can be very misleading when placed against a driver's talent sometimes -- just ask Ron Hornaday.

Ron Hornaday is back searching for a ride. Credit: ASP

He's a two-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, has two Busch Series victories to his credit in 57 career starts and has made 41 Winston Cup Series starts.

But -- as of right now -- he is unemployed without a ride in any of the three series.

"The last few years have been very humbling for me, to say the least," Hornaday said. "I'm not under contract with any team right now.

"I've been helping out a few teams this year, but nothing has been done under contract. I've talked with a few people here and there, but a lot of guys are locked into their rides for this year."

This year, the 43-year old Hornaday has driven for Rick Hendrick Motorsports in six races. The first was the season opener for the Craftsman Truck Series at Daytona.

The one-race deal had him piloting the No. 24 Chevrolet. Then, when Ricky Hendrick was injured in the Busch Series race in Las Vegas, Hornaday was called upon to drive the next five races while Hendrick healed.

In the Auto Club 300 at California Speedway last Saturday, the No. 5 GMAC Chevrolet team and Hornaday were running in the top-10 most of the day. Until the last 25 laps when a couple of close calls forced them backwards, it looked like the team was much more capable than the 18th-place it registered.

"We were running third for quite a while and I wish we could have stayed there," Hornaday said. "Team GMAC really did it for us in the pits and got us up front. We picked up spots every time we came into the pits. I'm really happy with the way we raced."

Ricky Hendrick is expected to return to the Busch Series this weekend. Credit: ASP

But, with Hendrick scheduled to come back for the Hardee's 250 at Richmond International Raceway on Friday night, Hornaday is back on the sidelines.

"Working with Hendrick Motorsports was just great," Hornaday said. "Not only was it great for both he and I, but it showed that I could still get around these tracks."

"It also showed me that I can drive and do a good job for people in the caliber of Rick Hendrick's team. Maybe it will help put me back on the map. People don't know I don't have a job because many were under the impression I was signed by Hendrick."

Another team that has called upon Hornaday to help them out has been BAM Racing. Teddy Brown is the crew chief for the No. 49 Dodge driven by rookie driver Shawna Robinson.

Hornaday has been working mainly with Brown and Robinson.

"I'm trying to relate what she's feeling while on the track to Teddy so they can communicate that much better," Hornaday said. "I've been on the track and I can try to help them figure out what it is that the car needs to respond better.

"She just needs more seat time and I'm trying to help them come along quicker."

Brown said that having someone with Hornaday's knowledge has been a tremendous help to him in his first year as a Winston Cup Series crew chief.

"I had been a crew chief for Michael Waltrip, Blaise Alexander and Kelly Denton in the Busch Series," Brown said. "It's been pretty good so far this year. But, with someone like Ron helping out has been enjoyable.

"He helps me to better understand what Shawna is describing about what the car is doing. He's been there before and is able to help me on deciding what needs to be fixed.

"It's been real good to have him help us out. He's been somebody good to talk to when you need someone to trust and can rely on and has been a positive influence on the whole team."

Something that wasn't all that positive for Hornaday is two key circumstances that occurred the last two seasons.

First, after two championship Craftsman Truck Series championships and a fairly successful Busch Series campaign for Dale Earnhardt Inc., Hornaday was released in the fall of 2000. The following season, Hornaday hooked up with A.J. Foyt Racing to compete in the No. 14 Pontiac in the Winston Cup Series.

At the end of the 2001 season, Hornaday found himself released for the second time in as many years.

"I knew why Dale (Earnhardt) released me," Hornaday said. "He was going Winston Cup racing and he put Michael (Waltrip) in the thing because he raced at all those tracks.

"When I went to work for A.J., I was going to work for my hero and knew what I was getting into there. They were an up-and-coming team and trying to put things together.

"He released me so late in the year that it was tough to put anything together. Right now, A.J. and I have an agreement and he's still my friend and hero.

"Both experiences were very humbling to me. But, that was then and this is now and right now I'm in search of a steady ride.

"But, on the other hand, my lawn looks great right now."