Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 33 Longhorn Chevrolet) hasn't made a trip to Victory
Lane yet this season. But for the veteran driver who is going for a record
fourth series title, it's no time to panic.
In his previous nine full seasons, it's only taken Hornaday this long to win a
race twice. The most recent time fell in 2007 when it took him to race number
six to grab his first win of the season. That race was at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
It was also the year he went on to claim his third championship.
"Winning at Lowe's in 2007 was definitely a career milestone for Rick Ren (crew
chief) and I," said Hornaday. "Neither of us had ever been able to win at our
home track. It meant so much and I'm glad that win was part of our KHI
championship season."
Friday night's race could be the breakthrough for Hornaday and company who are
eager to get back to Victory Lane. "I really hate the fact that we have not been
able to put the No. 33 truck into Victory Lane this season," he said. "We are
very hungry. Our team has brought some incredible trucks to the race track so
far this season. We have been there every week.
"This is traditionally the time in the season when our team comes alive. I hope
we can do it again this year; a tally in the win column would be nice."
As far as the championship goes, Hornaday is keeping everything in perspective.
"I am happy where we are right now," he said. "We have not had a finish outside
the top 10 the entire year. Kevin and DeLana (Harvick) continue to provide me
with some awesome equipment and I cannot thank them enough. I would like nothing
better than to get them a second championship and set the record for the most
(titles). "
But he knows just as well as the other competitors how the hunt for the
championship historically has gone down to the wire. "This soon in the year, it
is too hard to predict that kind of stuff," he said.
"You have veterans who have won championships and the young guys all mixed in
there together competing for wins and the title. You never know. There might be
someone else in the mix by Homestead."
