Hornaday, RCR to split at end of season

WELCOME, N.C. (AP) -- Ron Hornaday will be looking for a new ride at the end of the 2004 Busch Series season.

Richard Childress Racing said Wednesday that Hornaday, a two-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck series champion, will not be re-signed for 2005.

"We had two great years with Ron and I wish him the best in the future," said team owner Childress. "We talked about next season and beyond and felt it was in our best interests to make this announcement now to give him the best chance possible to catch on with another team."

Hornaday has two victories and 28 top 10 finishes in 60 Busch starts for RCR. He finished third in the season standings in 2003 and currently is sixth.

"Racing at this level is a big business," Hornaday said. "I understand what RCR has to do to enhance its NASCAR Nextel Cup series efforts. We've had a pretty good run together and the friendships will still go on, but business is business."

Childress said a new driver for the team's No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet will be announced before the end of the season.