An agreement has been reached between the Indy Racing League and the Champ Car World Series to bring the two sides together for a unified 2008 season, using IndyCar series equipment and rules, 6Sports' Dave Furst reported.

An official announcement could happen as soon as Wednesday.

6Sports reported more than a week ago that the two series appeared close to a deal. At the time, the last major hurdle was a conflict during the April 19 race weekend. Champ Car had its annual race in Long Beach that weekend, while the IRL was scheduled to race at the Honda-owned track in Motegi, Japan. That conflict was resolved after Motegi agreed to change its date.

The IRL will absorb a few Champ Car races, including those at Long Beach and Edmonton, Furst reported.

Teams from Champ Car are now scrambling to prepare for new equipment used by the IndyCar series. Each Champ Car team that moves to the IRL will receive chassis, engines and $1.2 million, Furst reported.

Of the teams expected to switch to the IRL, Newman-Haas Lanigan, Forsythe-Pettit, and PKV are expected to run two-car teams, Furst reported.

The IRL holds an open test at the Homestead Miami Speedway next week. Some Champ Car teams are expected to test there, Furst reported.