Panther Racing tests Brent Sherman

Former NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Brent Sherman is the latest driver to audition in Panther Racing's Indy Pro Series car.

Sherman, with more than 60 starts in the Busch Series and six in Nextel Cup, tested on the Homestead-Miami Speedway road course. Last month, prospective drivers Leilani Münter and P.J. Chesson tested with the team at Sebring International Raceway.

Sherman's test was a return to open-wheel cars. He competed for two years in the Barber Dodge Pro Series and, in 2000, tested a Toyota Atlantic car before making the move to the Hooters Pro Cup and ARCA the next season.

"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."