Hornish more relaxed ahead of Indy

The Penske driver won last year's race in a dramatic finish with Marco Andretti, and Hornish has admitted that he has felt relaxed in the build-up to the race this year.

"It's been a relaxing month so far," said the 2006 IndyCar Series champion. "It's pretty strange for me this year.

"I don't have to answer all the questions like 'Are you every going to win?' I'm just enjoying the fact that I can come back here and not have to take it so seriously every day."

Hornish qualified fifth last weekend as the top 11 places on the grid were secured, but the American admitted that his focus is on the end of the race on May 27.

"Nothing really matters until race day," he said. "The big thing is how do we get to the last 20 laps of the race and get involved for the shootout for the win.

"We just approach it like we did last year and try not to beat ourselves. That was my goal last year, we need to make sure we can make it to the end of the race."