March 7th, 2002 - At the start of the season, two time Craftsman truck champion, 2000 Busch Series most popular driver, Ron Hornaday found himself with-out a ride.
After an aggravating year in the Foyt Racing #14 Winston Cup car, Hornaday sat down with Hendrick Motorsports Team Owner Rick Hendrick. Hornaday and Hendrick came up with a very unusual concept, Hornaday in a Hendrick Truck, with the #24 on the side. “This was actually one of Ricky Hendrick’s trucks and Rick took it out of their museum and then we put on the #24. It's so ironic, me jumping in a truck with the # 24 on it.” commented Hornaday.
Hornaday took the truck to Daytona, and qualified second for the Florida Dodge Dealers 250, and finished a respectable 12th after a pit road collision. Working with Hornaday is Doug Richert, who worked with him at DEI in 1995. "It's awesome working with Doug again and now we are looking forward to Darlington" said Hornaday.
With a large down time between races, Ron was out and about and stopped by a friends shop. Ron's friend Ted Campbell, owner of Team CLR, has had a rough start to this 2002 season. Having the only car to go home from Las Vegas, Campbell was ready for a change. Hornaday has helped Campbell in the past, with set ups and team support, but this time, Campbell and Hornaday have taken the next step... Ron will take the Team CLR Ford to Atlanta and attempt to field the car in this weeks MBNA America 500.
With-in 48 hours Hornaday got the call about Ricky Hendrick's need for surgery, after a crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Hornaday will pilot the #5 Busch Series Chevrolet, until Ricky can return. “I’m here to do anything I can do to support Rick Hendrick and Ricky,” said Hornaday. “It’s a great feeling to know that Hendrick Motorsports thinks that much of me, and I’m proud to be able to get into a Hendrick car to show my talent until Ricky’s ready to come back.”
For more on Ron Hornaday, stop by his official website at ronhornaday.com
