Andretti: Wheldon to race NASCAR

Wheldon joined Ganassi this season during the winter after a successful year with Andretti Green Racing, despite Ganassi having struggled since winning the title with Scott Dixon in 2003.

The 27-year old had looked into the possibility of switching to Formula One for this season, however he wasn't satisfied with the options available to him. He also looked into racing in NASCAR this year, before deciding to stay in the IRL.

Andretti told the Express-Times of Easton, Pennsylvania that Ganassi is planning to put Wheldon in their NASCAR squad.

Andretti said: "That was part of the deal. That was one of the reasons he went there."

Wheldon has already been successful in other disciplines for Ganassi, winning the Daytona 24 Hours with IRL teammate Scott Dixon and Nextel Cup star Casey Mears in Grand Am sportscars.

Andretti's comments come on the back of what Wheldon's manager Julian Jakobi said last December.

Speaking after the confirmation of Wheldon's Ganassi deal, Jakobi told Autosport: "NASCAR in 2007 is quite possible. Ultimately he has to play on a bigger stage than the IRL and that means F1 or NASCAR, which are the two biggest series in the world. The Chip deal includes a progression to NASCAR if Dan wants it."