"It's definitely been different," says Herta, who will move from Andretti Green Racing's IRL IndyCar program over to its new American Le Mans Series sports-car team next season. "This has worked out extremely well for me. I'm staying with a great team."

Herta's Champ Car team shuttered operations at the end of 2001, leaving one of the most popular drivers in the series without a job. He raced once more in Champ Car before joining Andretti Green Racing in the IRL in 2003.

Herta will get to race in two of his old Champ Car haunts in 2007 as ALMS visits the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and Laguna Seca, site of his two Champ Car wins.

"One of the high points of this whole deal has to be the Long Beach Grand Prix," Herta says. "I've really missed that race."

Dario Franchitti likely will share a ride with Herta in the Acura Courage in the LMP2 class at some ALMS events, although his main focus will be on Indy cars once again.