Dario Franchitti's much-anticipated switch from the Indycar Series to NASCAR appeared to take another step forwards overnight, after the Andretti Green Racing team confirmed that it was releasing the Scot from his contract.

Although the deal was due to expire at the start of December, allowing Franchitti to leave 'early' will give the 2007 IRL champion the opportunity to make his NASCAR debut this season, rather than having to wait until 2008, when he has been rumoured to replace David Stremme in Chip Ganassi's #40 Dodge.

Although all parties are remaining quiet on that deal, nascar/com reports that Franchitti - who clinched the IRL title on the last corner of the season - could make his first stock car appearance at Talladega this weekend, running in the ARCA division race.

According to reports, the Scot has agreed to a multi-year deal to partner former Champ Car sparring partner Juan Pablo Montoya and Reed Sorenson in the Ganassi line-up, with an official announcement due in the next 24 hours - something that Franchitti's release by AGR would tend to confirm.

Once the deal is announced, Franchitti is expected to run as many races as possible in ARCA, Busch and Nextel Cup to get up to speed before a full-time Cup campaign next year.