OFFICIAL: Sam Hornish Jr. to run 7 Nationwide races in the No. 54 car this season

What were just rumors this morning is now official – Joe Gibbs Racing announced this morning that they’ve signed driver Sam Hornish Jr. to drive the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota in seven Nationwide Series races in 2014.

“I’m excited about driving the No. 54 Monster Energy car this year. It’s a great opportunity for me,” said Hornish. “It’s the best possible situation for me to jump into great equipment and have the opportunity to go right out and win. After working with Penske for 10 years and now to have the opportunity to partner with Joe Gibbs Racing, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. These are great people, top notch. To partner with Kyle, and all this team provides, with the support of Joe and J.D., it provides me with everything I need to succeed. It’s also a phenomenal opportunity for me to partner with a market leader such as Monster Energy. The brand identity and fan following that goes along with this sponsor is super. I can’t wait to get into that car!”

The No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota will run a full season schedule for JGR with crew chief Adam Stevens returning to call the shots from atop the pit box. Kyle Busch will return to pilot the Camry in 26 races, while Hornish will fill the driver’s seat in the remaining seven races.

“We’re excited to have someone of Sam’s caliber joining Kyle behind the wheel of the Monster Energy Camry this year,” said J.D. Gibbs, President of Joe Gibbs Racing. “We think we have a great team there with Monster Energy and Sam will be an outstanding addition. We lost out on the owner’s championship by just one point last year so our focus will be on trying to get that title back in 2014.”