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Sherman bolts NASCAR for IndyCars

Submitted by SHNS on Fri, 05/02/2008 - 15:48

Brent Sherman started his auto racing career at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. while serving in the U.S. Air Force.Now he has taken another unusual career detour, switching from NASCAR to IndyCars.The St. Paul, Minn., native turns 34 on May 24 and is the oldest rookie in the Indy Lights Series, the feeder program for IndyCars in the Indy Racing League. He placed third for Panther Racing in his debut at Homestead-Miami. Befitting his military background, Sherman received a new sponsor this week: the National Guard."It's unbelievable," he said. "I've been in contact with many of the different military branches, and to finally be able to represent the National Guard, it's pretty huge for me. ... And it gives us some identity. I haven't really had a long-term sponsor. So I'm hoping that maybe we can grow the relationship."Sherman also has had the chance to test an IndyCar.A former Air Force radar technician aboard giant AWACS surveillance aircraft, Sherman has had the opportunity to fly in fighter jets, riding with the Thunderbirds. Contrary to IndyCars' reputation, they're not jets on wheels."We pulled 9.2 Gs, and I about passed out, and we didn't even sustain it (for more than a few seconds)," he said of his flight with the Thunderbirds. "We pull maybe three, four Gs in the IndyCars."Last season, Sherman was a regular in what is now NASCAR's Nationwide Series. He also drove six Cup events in 2006.Sherman's switch seems unusual when so many drivers seem to be hopping from open-wheel racing to NASCAR. To him, it was a matter of winning. He has a much better opportunity to reach the podium with Panther than any of his NASCAR rides."It's just tough going to the racetrack, knowing that you really don't have a shot at winning," he explained. "That was the biggest decision."I'd love to be running the Indy 500," he added. "Maybe we'll be doing it next year. But I have to pay my dues in the Indy Light Series first."(Contact Debbie Arrington at darrington@sacbee.com.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)