In an era where open-wheel drivers are migrating to the world of NASCAR stock cars, Brent Sherman is following his heart and heading in the opposite direction.

Sherman, who was originally introduced to motorsports in the cockpit of an open-wheel car, signed with Panther Racing this off-season to pilot the team’s Indy Pro Series car after spending the last four years in NASCAR Nationwide and Nextel Cup Series. Sherman racked up over 60 starts in the Busch Series from 2004-2007. He began the 2006 season as a full time NASCAR Nextel Cup driver with BAM Racing, and collected his career-best finish at the Daytona 500 that year, finishing 21st, ahead of fellow rookies J.J. Yeley, David Stremme, Reed Sorenson and Denny Hamlin.

After spending six years in the United States Air Force – a stint that included four years conducting combat, surveillance and instructional missions on an AWAC airplane – Sherman entered the Russell Racing school and his racing career was underway.

He competed in the Barber Dodge Pro Series and Grand Am before making the move to the NASCAR Busch Series in 2004. Last season, prior to making his move to open-wheel, Sherman won the ARCA/Re-Max event at Michigan International Speedway from the pole position.

Panther’s IPS teams have been some of the most successful in the series’ history. After a dominant championship run in 2003, Panther returned from a three-year hiatus last season with Hideki Mutoh, who won two races last season en route to the Rookie of the Year award, and runner-up finish in the championship.

In its history, Panther has won nine races and finished on the podium in over half of its 27 starts in the series. Both of Panther’s former IPS drivers have graduated to the IndyCar Series, and most recently Mutoh signed with Andretti Green Racing to replace departed Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti.