Ron Hornaday Looks To Continue Historic Streak In BMS Truck Race

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Mark Martin has defied the racing odds this season by winning four Sprint Cup events at the age of 50, yet he’s not the hottest driver in NASCAR. In fact, Martin is not even the hottest driver over 50.

Ron Hornaday, 51, has won five straight races in the Camping World Truck Series. That run is second only to Richard Petty, who claimed 10 straight Sprint Cup victories in 1967.

“This is the kind of year every driver dreams of when they start racing as a kid,” Hornaday said during a recent phone interview. “We’ve just been blessed.”

While the aggressive Hornaday has been virtually flawless as a driver, he credits his Kevin Harvick Inc. team for setting the tone for the historic chapter.

“We’ve been working toward this for three years now,” Hornaday said. “It’s just a privilege to drive this truck. Everything is working good for us.”

Hornaday has finished among the top five in nine of the first 14 truck races this season. Entering Wednesday’s O’Reilly 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Hornaday has won a total of six races and four positions.

“We’re hoping to keep that streak going Wednesday,” Hornaday said. “We haven’t won on the new Bristol yet.”

Many drivers are still trying to adapt to the new BMS. Instead of teeth-jarring bumps and grinding crashes, the track now features a smooth concrete surface and multiple racing grooves. Hornaday and 2006 Truck Series champion Todd Bodine unraveled some mysteries during a Goodyear tire test July 7 at BMS.

“We were looking to get some rubber on the track and just get a baseline for what we needed to do in the race,” Hornaday said. “You need to make sure that you get through the corners well now. It’s less about motor and more about handling.”

All drivers and crew chiefs devise their race strategy each week by poring over extensive notes gleaned from practice and races at each track. When it comes to Bristol, the learning process has begun anew.

“You can throw all [the notes] out the window now,” Hornaday said. “We ran decent at Bristol last year, but now it’s multi-groove. You’ve got to get the high line and make your truck work up there.”

Hornaday said drivers appreciate that the focus at BMS has shifted to chess-match style racing and away from pure survival. But Hornaday is still searching for the right moves, especially after a 24th place finish at Bristol last season.

“The racing is just different and it’s tougher on teams,” Hornaday said. “Some folks love it, but we still haven’t gotten the handle of the track yet.”

During the last four races at Bristol, Hornaday has failed to lead a lap and has been forced to settle for an average finish of 18th.

BMS has typically favored the more experienced drivers in the Truck Series. Joe Ruttman won the inaugural Pizza Plus 150 in 1995. Rick Carelli, now serving as the spotter for Hornaday, won in 1996. Former series champions Jack Sprague, Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson have also posted wins at Bristol, with Hornaday winning in 1997 and 1998.

Skinner, who won the Truck Series championship and race in 1995, ranks third in points behind Hornaday and Matt Crafton. Skinner drives for the new team owned by National Football League star Randy Moss.

“It’s kind of cool that Mike and I are running so well after 15 years,” said Hornaday, who has 45 Truck Series wins. “It’s nice to be the elderly driver beating all these kids and putting more trophies on the mantel.”

Part of the Hornaday’s streak can be traced to the guidance of veteran crew chief Rick Ren. Since the start of the 2007 season, Ren and Hornaday have combined to win 16 times. Ren has won Truck races with five different drivers and recently surpassed Dennis Connor as the winningest crew chief in the series with 27.

“When Kevin started this deal, he had a plan and he knew how to put all the pieces together to reach it,” Hornaday said. “Kevin is at the race shop every day, and he knows about every part on every one of his trucks. He’s definitely been a great owner to work for. We’ve got a bunch of young guys on the crew that are working hard.
“With the competition level in the Truck Series, it’s unheard of to win five straight races, but we’ve got a great team that stands behind us.”

As for his age, Hornaday said it’s all a matter of staying engaged and focused. Unlike Martin, Hornaday does not a follow a demanding workout regimen.

“I work on my grandson’s quarter midget cars,” Hornaday said. “That keeps me active and takes my brain off racing for a little while. My kids are grown. Every time my wife and I go the racetrack now, it’s a like a vacation. I’m real fortunate.”

After his fourth straight victory July 24 at O’Reilly Raceway Park in the Indianapolis area, Hornaday delighted fans by taking a victory lap around the track and then executing donuts. Hornaday would love to top that smoky act at Bristol.

“The trucks put on fantastic shows at Bristol, especially with the night race,” Hornaday said. “I can do a pretty good burnout. I want to really smoke the crowd up and do the highest burnout ever seen.”

agregory@bristolnews.com|(276) 645-2544

What: O’Reilly 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

When: Aug. 19

Time: 8:30 p.m.

Fast Fact: Qualifying will be held 4:40 p.m.

Notes: Thirty-nine trucks were listed on the preliminary entry list, with Sprint Cup regular Ryan Newman driving a car Kevin Harvick, Inc. owned truck. Johnny Benson, the 2008 Truck series champion, lost his ride with Red Horse Racing earlier this season and continues to recuperate after suffering multiple injuries June 13 during a supermodified race at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Mich. … Defending race champion Kyle Busch will drive the No. 51 Toyota for Billy Ballew Motorsports.