GET READY FOR BUSCH OPENER.

Byline: TIM HADDOCK Motor Sports

Ron Hornaday was voted fourth in a preseason ranking of drivers on the NASCAR Busch Series.

Hornaday, a former Saugus Speedway, NASCAR Craftsman Truck and Southwest series champion, will be driving the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevy in today's Hershey Kisses 300 at Daytona International Speedway, the season opener to the Busch Series.

Hornaday is entering his second season as driver of the No. 2 entry for RCR. He finished third in last year's Busch Series standings.

``We came up a little short last year,'' Hornaday said. ``I hope to make up a couple spots.''

Bobby Hamilton Jr., driver of the No. 25 Ford for Team Rensi Motorsports, was voted the top-ranked driver in the preseason poll. He was followed by David Green and Jason Keller.

Brian Vickers won the 2003 Busch Series championship and will be competing in the Nextel Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports. Hamilton Jr. was fourth in the 2003 Busch Series standings.

Hornaday won one race in 2003, at Nazareth Speedway in Pennsylvania. It was the third victory of his Busch Series career.

``I want to win some more,'' Hornaday said. ``I have fun every time I step in a race car. I live every day like it's Saturday. But winning is the most fun, definitely.''

The purse, $2,197,278, for today's race will be the largest in Busch Series history.

Last year's Busch Series race at Daytona International Speedway was the first purse to surpass $2 million.

Depending on contingency awards, the winner of the Hershey's Kisses 300 can claim $102,110.

Only two Busch Series drivers, Jeff Gordon and Jeff Green, have won more than $100,000 in a single race.

By comparison, Jack Ingram won $122,100 in his championship season of 1982, the first year of competition in what is now the NASCAR Busch Series.

--Indy Racing League: Hondas took a back seat to Toyotas during the two-day Indy Racing League test session at Phoenix International Raceway on Wednesday and Thursday.

Toyota driver Scott Dixon, the reigning IRL champion for Target Chip Ganassi Racing, led all drivers at the 1-mile oval.

Team Penske drivers Helio Castroneves and Sam Hornish Jr., also in Toyotas, followed Dixon.

Valencia's Bryan Herta, driver of the No. 7 Honda-powered entry for Andretti Green Racing, was able to close in on Dixon's times in the Thursday afternoon session, clocking the second fastest lap of the segment. Herta also added some insight into how the race at Phoenix might play out.

``We've made some improvements on the car throughout the test, especially on the race set up,'' said Herta, a Hart High of Newhall graduate. ``I would like to have more speed for a qualifying run, though. I think with the new rules, you're going to have to qualify at the front because it is going to be difficult to pass.''

The Copper World Indy 200 at Phoenix International Raceway is scheduled for March 21.

--NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series: The drivers on the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series, will make two stops at Irwindale Speedway and its regular visit to California Speedway in 2004, it was announced Wednesday.

The 13-race schedule includes stops at tracks in six states: California, Oregon, Arizona, Washington, Colorado and Utah.

The first Irwindale Speedway race is July 31 and the regular season concludes at the half-mile oval on Oct. 23.

The West Series drivers will be at California Speedway on May 1 when the NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series drivers race at the 2-mile track in Fontana.

``Talented new drivers continue to challenge the experienced veterans on the circuit each year, making for some very tough competition,'' said Chris Boals, NASCAR's director of regional touring. ``This series has long been a top proving ground for the West Coast's best drivers and the future stars of NASCAR. With the talent assembled in this series today, the fans of the West Series are in for another incredible season of racing.''

Irwindale Speedway will also host the Toyota All-Star Showdown, with the top-15 drivers from the West Series qualifying for the event.

The West Series season started in earlier this month in Phoenix with NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Ken Schrader winning the opener.

The next race will be March 27 at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield.

--Toyota Cup Formula 1 Motorcycle Series: The second round of the Toyota Cup Formula 1 Motorcycle Series will be at Willow Springs International Motorsports Park in Rosamond on Sunday.

The face will start at approximately 2 p.m.

Jeremy Toye won the first round of the Toyota Cup Formula 1 Motorcycle Series.

CAPTION(S):

2 boxes

Box:

(1) THIS WEEK'S RACES

(2) 2004 NASCAR WEST SERIES SCHEDULE