Hornaday Jr. weathers the storm

NASCAR Ron Hornaday Jr. talks to reporters last weekend about his use of testosterone. There's nothing like winning a race to make a bad week end on a good note.

Ron Hornaday Jr. can attest to that.

He spent most of last week dealing with the revelation that he admitted using testosterone for more than a year before it was placed on the sport's banned list. Hornaday, 50, told ESPN he received shipments of testosterone and human growth hormone from December 2004 to January 2006. He said he used the testosterone cream to treat a medical issue, diagnosed as Graves Disease. NASCAR found no reason to punish him, but the black cloud was there.

Then on Saturday, the defending Craftsman Truck Series champion went out at New Hampshire and led 149 of 200 laps to get his second straight and fifth overall victory of the season.

He told reporters afterward that he appreciated all the support he had received.

"I've got to thank all of the race fans," he said. "They are so unbelievable, the support they've given me this week. Kevin Harvick Inc., NASCAR, everybody, Camping World ... I've really got to thank them for really believing in me and to come out here and give me a truck like this."

— Rick Minter, Cox News Service