Herta replaces Lemarie at PK for Laguna

The Californian has won the Laguna Seca race twice from pole position, in 1998 and 1999 for Team Rahal, but has not competed in a Champ Car event since the end of the 2001 season. Herta subbed for Dario Franchitti at Andretti Green in last weekend's Texas Motor Speedway IRL IndyCar round and finished fifth. He also competed in a Winston West stock car race earlier this year.

But now that Franchitti has been passed fit to return to racing, it has freed up Herta to accept the drive in Craig Pollock's Lola Champ Car squad.

"I've got nothing long term beyond this weekend," Herta told Autosport. "Although I would like to do some more stock car racing. I wouldn't mind racing the same car for more than one race though! It's good that I'm wanted by people but everything I'm doing now is for next year."

Herta's record at Laguna Seca is exemplary, as well as his two wins he has never started a Champ Car race there from lower than second on the grid. Herta told ESPN's website however that securing a front-row slot this weekend might be a tall order: "A lot of people think I can just jump into any car at Laguna and be up front. But it's not that easy. It takes a good car and I usually have one.

"Laguna definitely suits my driving style," he continued. "I tend to carry a lot of speed into the apex (of the corner) and that's always good at Laguna and Cleveland."

It is unclear at the moment whether the deal is a one-off or whether it will materialise in to a full-time ride.