NASCAR PIT STOP

Normally, the Automobile Club of Southern California won’t encourage speeding your car about 200 mph, but in this case, they’ll make an exception.

Well, that is if your name is Sam Hornish Jr., NASCAR driver for Penske Auto Racing. In a round of meet-and-greets Thursday afternoon, Hornish stopped by the club’s offices in Costa Mesa to showcase his No. 77 stock car, which now dons a new paint job with the club’s “AAA” logo plastered on the hood.

“It’s a partnership we’ve developed over the years with Penske,” said Jeffrey Spring, spokesman for the Automobile Club of Southern California.

The two companies teamed up and will introduce No. 77’s new look to NASCAR fans this weekend at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. Hornish met employees, took pictures in front of his car and showed off the company’s drag-racer as well.

-- Joseph Serna