Ron Hornaday has 27 career Craftsman Truck Series wins.

Ruptured appendix can't stop Hornaday

Not even a ruptured appendix can slow down Ron Hornaday.

After feeling pain in his stomach Tuesday night after testing at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Hornaday went to a Mooresville, N.C., hospital.

At that point, he learned that his appendix had ruptured. Outpatient surgery was performed, Hornaday's appendix was removed and he was released the same evening.

Hornaday has been cleared to drive in Saturday night's Dodge Ram Tough 200, although Tony Raines will stand by in case he's needed as a relief driver.

"I'm focused and ready to race," Hornaday said. "I feel fine and look forward to driving ... Saturday night in St. Louis.

Hornaday likes the challenge of running at Gateway International Speedway.

"I always say that my favorite tracks are the places that I have won and I would love to add Gateway to that list," Hornaday said.

He's been close on several occasions. He finished second in a 1998 Craftsman Truck Series race and twice in Busch Series competition at the 1.25-mile on the outskirts of St. Louis.

Ron Hornaday

"I have had success there in both the Busch Series and the Craftsman Truck Series," Hornaday said. "I think this time around I have the team and equipment to finally get over the hump and get to Victory Lane.

"Three second-place finishes is not bad and I would certainly take a fourth, but I really want to win at that race track."

Hornaday said horsepower may be the most important ingredient to running up front at Gateway, followed closely by getting cleanly through the corners.

"The key to racing at Gateway is having a good solid motor because the straightaways are long," he said. "It is essential that you hit your marks. It is real easy to overdrive the corners, which hurts your exit speeds and usually gives the guy behind you the opportunity to hang you out on the high side."

Several drivers will be making their first Craftsman Truck Series starts at Gateway, but not their debuts. Johnny Benson and Todd Bodine have competed in Busch Series races, while Japanese driver Shigeaki Hattori won an open-wheel race there.

"I've driven at Gateway a few times when I raced in the CART and Indy Lights Series," Hattori said. "I won there in 1998 with an Indy Lights car. I like the track very much. This time it was just a little different."