IRL: Panther Racing Tests Brent Sherman

January 15, 2008 2:13 p.m. EST

Indianapolis, IN (AHN) -- Former NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Brent Sherman may be trading in his fender for the open-wheel ranks of the Indy Pro Series.

Sherman, whose family is affiliated with Serta Mattress, was the latest driver to audition for Panther Racing.

Sherman, who started over 60 Nationwide (former Busch) races and six Nextel Cup (now Sprint) races, tested at Homestead-Miami Speedway's road-course.

In December drivers Leilani Münter and P.J. Chesson tested with Panther at Sebring International Raceway.Sherman competed for two years in the Barber Dodge Pro Series and, in 2000, he tested a Toyota Atlantic car before moving to the Hooters Pro Cup and ARCA ranks.

"Drivers at this level - it doesn't matter if it's IndyCar, NASCAR, or wherever - are professionals," said Sherman, 33. "And everybody is a good driver. But a lot of your success is based on the team, and how good the team is. And, for whatever reason, I never found that perfect situation in NASCAR. I love open-wheel racing, this is where I started my career, and I'm glad to be back."