Full Throttle

Roger Penske, who already owns and fields three full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup teams, has bought the #22 used by several drivers over the past 16 years with owner Bill Davis.

The No. 22 Bill Davis Racing/Caterpillar Toyota with driver Dave Blaney finished 31st in owner points last year and thus has a guaranteed starting spot in this year’s first five races.

Although Davis closed down his team and sold its assets shortly after last season ended he retained the number and points that went with it.

Sam Hornish Jr., one of Penske’s three full-schedule drivers, will get the #22’s points and thus be assured of starting the first five races. (He was 38th in ‘08 owner points).

Hornish will stay in the #77 Dodge, teaming with Kurt Busch in the #2 and David Stremme in the #12. Davis will be listed as a minority owner of the #22 team. No drivers have been named.

With the addition of Davis, the team changed its name to Penske Championship Racing from Penske Racing. Bud Denker, the senior vice president of Penske Corporation, confirmed the move on Wednesday.