Indianapolis ? The Indy Racing League’s most popular driver was almost stuck in neutral.

Less than a month before the start of the season, things weren’t going well for Sarah Fisher. The only woman in the IndyCar series, the only one ever to start from the pole in a major open-wheel race, was without a ride.

Then, unexpectedly, she got word that Kelley Racing general manager Jim Freudenberg might have something in the works for her.

“The next thing you know, here we are,” Fisher said.

The deal with Kelley, which did not re-sign Al Unser Jr. after his contract ended in October, teams Fisher with former IRL champion Scott Sharp. But it’s not a full-time ride.

Fisher won’t race in the opener Feb. 29 at Homestead, Fla., and isn’t sure how many races she will do. How much sponsorship money they can raise — the “bottom line,” as she puts it — will determine that.

“It’s more or less the fact I have a home that makes it so much more comfortable,” said Fisher, who was 18th in the IRL points last year with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.

“Jim and I can now go into a meeting together and say, ‘Here’s our team, here’s our car, here’s what we’re doing,’ and it’s very legit that way. If he’s trying to sell a second program without a driver, that’s very difficult.”

Fisher, 23, who began racing quarter-midgets in 1986, was the youngest driver to compete in an IRL race in her series debut in 1999. She became the third woman to drive in the Indianapolis 500 the next year, had a career-best finish of second at Homestead in 2001 and started from the pole at Kentucky Speedway in 2002.

Last year, her best start was second at Richmond, and her best finish was eighth at Phoenix. For the third straight year, however, she was voted the IRL’s most popular driver by race crews and fans.

She also remains a valuable selling point for the IRL.

“Sarah brings a whole new segment of fans to the IndyCar series, primarily female and primarily pre-teens and mothers,” IRL spokesman Fred Nation said. “Those are important segments for us to reach to broaden our base. She’s also a sentimental favorite with many people.

“At any race, the longest line for autographs is for her,” Nation said.

Even with no assurance how many races she’ll be in this year, Fisher said her prospects were “more positive” than in the past.

“Working with Kelley is a privilege in itself, and to go to Homestead … at least I’m going to be with Scott and watching what’s going on,” she said.

The team returned to its Indianapolis headquarters after Sharp tested in Phoenix last week. Even if sponsorship were secured now, it’s too late to get a car ready for Fisher in time for the opener, she said.

“We’re trying to get everything put together. Kelley Racing believes in me. … They’re helping out with marketing and trying to make sure it happens,” she said. “It’s just so exciting because they’re such a big team and have such a great reputation for doing good things.”