Newman/Haas/Lanigan has two more drivers to possibly sign alongside Graham Rahal, says Miller. After a 2008 spent in the wilderness, both Bourdais and Doornbos need a top ride. (LAT Photographic) » More Photos

With only McDonald's as a sponsor for Graham Rahal, it looked as if Newman/Haas/Lanigan might be a one-car operation for the first time since the mid-80s until Doornbos surfaced.

A two-time winner in Champ Car as a rookie in 2007 with Keith Wiggins' HVM Racing, Doornbos was out of open wheel last year but the ex-Formula One pilot has found a sponsor and a new home with NHL.

Co-owners Mike Lanigan or Carl Haas couldn't be reached for comment but Ralph Hansen, the sponsor guru for NHL the past three decades, admitted there had been conversations with Bourdais and there was also interest in Doornbos.

"Everyone at Newman/Haas/Lanigan would be thrilled to have Sebastien come back and he wants to come back," said Hansen, who owns Pegasus Marketing in Chicago.

"We're working very hard to make it a possibility."

Bourdais, who earned 31 victories and 31 pole positions on his way to four consecutive championships during his five years (2003-2007) in Champ Car with Newman/Haas/Lanigan, spent 2008 in Formula One but his contract with Toro Rosso has not been renewed for '09.

KV Racing, the most consistent transition team in 2008 with Oriol Servia and Power behind the wheel, lost its Team Australia sponsorship so team owners Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser have opted to sell at least one of their seats to Moraes.

The 20-year-old Brazilian drove for Dale Coyne in '08 with mixed results. The road racer struggled early on the ovals but turned in some good runs at Watkins Glen, Edmonton and Sears Point.

Servia, who finished ninth in the point standings, has no contract for '09.

Nelson Philippe, who started his CART career at age 17 and had blossomed into a race winner by age 20, has been without a steady ride the past two years and explored options in NASCAR and sports cars while his little brother has raced Formula BMW and Atlantics.

But they are now set to be the first brother act in Indy car since Tony and Gary Bettenhausen in the '90s.

According to reliable sources, the Philippe family bought Roth's cars and equipment and will take over his Indianapolis shop. Roth fielded Indy cars the past three years.