Wheldon will slot into the Panther Racing seat currently held by Vitor Meira. (LAT photo) » More Photos

As for Wheldon, who left Andretti Green after his title year in 2005 to join Ganassi, it’s a bittersweet ending to three solid years in which he’s won six times and never finished worse than fourth (where he stands now) in the points. But his struggle on road courses and street circuits proved to be his undoing with Ganassi.

“I don’t have anything bad to say about Dan, he’s always done everything we asked of him and I think he helped Scott’s career a ton,” said Ganassi.

Reached at his home in St. Petersburg, Wheldon said he's excited to join a team that ranks just below the IRL's Big 3.

"We're going to make it the Big 4, brother," said Wheldon, whose initial IRL test and start came with Panther back in 2002. "We're going to have to execute on everything because we're all new to each other, but I think John Barnes (owner) is incredibly determined.

"I needed a change as well and I think this is perfect for me."

As for the likelihood of running Alex Lloyd, the 2007 Indy Lights champion, in a third car next year, Ganassi said: “I want to do something because I love that kid and I renewed his option. We’re trying to put something together but not necessarily a third car here.”