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Robin Miller
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Scott Sharp Moving to ALMS
Written by: Robin Miller   
12/14/2007 - 07:00 PM
Indianapolis, Ind.
 
Sharp and his Patron backers evidently are swapping Indy cars for sports cars. (LAT photo) ยป More Photos

The last original Indy Racing League driver is heading for sports cars. SPEEDTV.com has learned that Scott Sharp is taking his Patron sponsorship to Highcroft Racing in the American Le Mans series for 2008.

Sharp, who turns 40 in February, will team with David Brabham and replace Stefan Johansson on the Acura-powered P2 team owned by Duncan Dayton.

Besides losing the IRL's all-time leader in starts (138) and original champion (co-champ with Buzz Calkins) in 1996, Tony George's series also loses a full-time competitor with a major sponsor (Patron tequila).

Sharp, who scored nine IndyCar victories, spent last season with Rahal Letterman
Racing where he best finish was third at Michigan. But the former Trans-Am champ recently informed them he would not be returning with his reported $4 million sponsorship. Bobby Rahal, in turn, sued Sharp for breach of contract.

Highcroft Racing finished fifth in the P2 standings with Johansson and Brabham in '07 but wound up ahead of the other two Acura teams of Adrian Fernandez and Andretti Green Racing.

Dayton, an accomplished vintage car racer who also serves as the third ALMS driver at Sebring, is expected to retain the 42-year-old Brabham. Johansson, the 51-year-old veteran of Formula 1 and CART, said Saturday he is currently looking for a ride.