The 2005 Indy Racing League champion, an Englishman who lives in St. Petersburg, would need it for his first test in a stock car, perhaps as early as next week in Las Vegas. If all goes well, he said, he might eventually follow Montoya, a former CART champion and Formula One driver, to NASCAR’s highest level.

“I look to have a good IndyCar season,” said Wheldon, who tied Sam Hornish in the final points standings in 2006, but lost the title by virtue of fewer wins. “But I definitely want to start looking very seriously at the NASCAR stuff.”

Wheldon was unable to conduct his first scheduled Busch test last week on the road course at Virginia International Raceway because of rain. He insists he needs to feel he can be as good in stock cars as in Ganassi’s open-wheel machines to make a full-time switch. That would be difficult. The 28-year-old has 11 wins and 50 top-10s in 63 IRL starts.

“It depends on schedule, it depends on how the program is going and it depends on what Chip has going on as well,” Wheldon said. “(Busch cars) are not cheap to run and Chip’s not in it this year to mess around. Chip’s serious about winning. He’s had a lean couple of years in this series in Busch and Cup, and he wants to put it right.”

Since signing him before the 2006 IRL season, Ganassi has supported Wheldon’s desire to test stock cars.

“You’ll see him give it a try this season,” he said.

St. Petersburg Times

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