Reigning IRL IndyCar Series Champion Sam Hornish Jr is one of three drivers nominated for the 2006 American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association driver of the year award.

Hornish Jr, his Penske teammate Helio Castroneves and 2005 champion Englishman Dan Wheldon are all nominated in the open wheel category, where they will go head to head with Champ Car drivers Sebastien Bourdais, Justin Wilson and NASCAR convert AJ Allmendinger for a place on the prestigious 2006 Auto Racing All-America team.

Hornish, who won his third IRL title and the Indy 500 in 2006, like 2005 champ Wheldon and double Indy 500 winner Castroneves, have all been previously honoured as members of the team.

Balloting for the team will be conducted by the more than 300 members of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association. The annual vote selects two nominees from each of seven categories for the first team, which is honoured at the annual AARWBA banquet in Indianapolis. The winner of the Jerry Titus Award also will be announced at the banquet.

The Titus Award honours the team's top driver, the one earning the most votes in the balloting regardless of category. The last two IndyCar Series champions, Tony Kanaan (2004) and Wheldon, also won the Titus Award.