MOTOR SPORTS: HERTA STAYS WITH ANDRETTI GREEN.

Byline: TIM HADDOCK Motor Sports

Valencia's Bryan Herta will be part of the Indy Racing League's winningest team for at least one more year.

Herta and Andretti Green Racing agreed on a one-year deal with XM Satellite Radio expected to return as his team's primary sponsor in 2006.

``It's one of the best racing teams in the world right now,'' Herta said. ``It was an easy decision for me.''

He is expected to be reunited with Tony Kanaan and Dario Franchitti on the Andretti Green Racing team. Kanaan is the only driver under contract with Andretti Green through the 2006 season. Deals with Herta and Franchitti are forthcoming.

A fourth driver is expected to join the team and an announcement of deals with Herta and Franchitti are expected to happen when its full lineup is complete.

Herta would not comment on financial terms of his contract.

``It made the most sense to me,'' said Herta, driver of the No. 7 Honda-powered entry for Andretti Green Racing. ``It was my preference to do a one-year deal. Things are changing a lot. Right now I can't see wanting to go anywhere else.''

Dan Wheldon, who won the Indy Racing League title and the Indianapolis 500 with Andretti Green Racing in 2005, switched teams and will race for Chip Ganassi next year. The move leaves an open spot on one of the most successful racing teams ever assembled. Andretti Green Racing has won the past two IRL championships and combined to win 11 of 17 races last season. Wheldon won six, an IRL record he shares with Sam Hornish Jr. of Marlboro Team Penske for most wins in a season.

``I just wanted another challenge,'' Wheldon said in a teleconference in November. ``I've always respected Target Chip Ganassi immensely. I've said before, they've won a lot of championships in the past. I have a friend of mine who talks very highly of the team. They seem to be able to win big races, and I'm highly motivated to win races and championships and hopefully another Indianapolis 500 with another team.''

Herta said it was a bit of a surprising move by Wheldon, but not unexpected.

``I guess a little surprised,'' Herta said when he heard Wheldon was leaving Andretti Green Racing for Ganassi's team. ``Certainly it was a successful partnership. I guess he had his reasons. I can only speculate.''

Herta said the Andretti Green Racing team has a short list of drivers, no more than three, that it is considering to be the fourth driver on the team.

Marco Andretti, son of team co-owner Michael Andretti, has been racing on the Menards Infiniti Pro Series, a developmental racing league for the IRL. He is a potential candidate to move up.

Andretti won three times in six races on the Infiniti Pro Series, running a limited rookie schedule. He won at St. Petersburg, Fla., Infineon Raceway in Sonoma and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Herta, a Hart High of Newhall graduate, has been with Andretti Green Racing since 2003, when he filled in for the injured Franchitti.

In nearly three seasons racing on the IRL, Herta has won two races. His most recent win came in 2005 at Michigan International Speedway. He also won a race at Kansas Speedway in 2003.

Andretti Green Racing has 21 wins since joining the IRL in 2003. Kanaan won the IRL championship driving for Andretti Green in 2004.

Wheldon won nine races in 47 starts with Andretti Green Racing and became the first driver to win the Indy 500 and the IRL championship in the same year.

Tim Haddock, [phone]

timothy.haddock(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Valencia's Bryan Herta, who drives for IRL's Andretti Green Racing, has resigned with his primary sponsor.

Getty Images

(2) HERTA