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Sean Guthrie Earns Points with Speed and Purpose On & Off the Track

Shrugging Off Adversity Part of the Indy Lights Racing Game

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Guthrie Racing’s Sean Guthrie. Photo: RonMcQueeneyIRL

It’s hard to imagine that the skinny blonde-headed kid hanging around the garages two years ago has grown into the man making the yellow and royal blue No. 4 Car Crafters Special of Guthrie Racing go so fast.

Sean Guthrie, still not even twenty years old (his birthday is in a little less than three weeks) continues to mature into the very fast prodigy his dad, team-owner Jim Guthrie, knew was in him all along.

Now entering his third year of Firestone Indy Lights competition, Sean has a bio that is impressive for its accomplishment and its humanity.

He’s one of the Susan Komen Organization’s national spokespeople in the Race for the Cure, a well-known breast cancer prevention and treatment advocacy. Guthrie has appeared on network television promoting the cause.

Sean also holds down a full-time job at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico as the parts manager of the family business. In his down-time he builds and races remote control cars and planes.

Not to mention, he races Indy Lights at nearly two hundred miles per hour every weekend or so.

’Rookie Mistake’ Grinds On Racer’s Mind After Homestead

After qualifying third for Saturday’s (March 29th) season-opener at Homestead Miami Speedway, the table looked set for Sean to land his first-ever Indy Lights podium (if not outright victory).

He was positioned behind two drivers (AFS Andretti Green’s Raphael Matos and Panther Racing’s Dillon Battistini) who were at best novices in the oval-track game, easy pickings for the more-experienced Guthrie.

Furthermore, Guthrie tested over the same racecourse only one month earlier, gathering data and becoming comfortable on its steeply-banked turns on his way to the third-fastest time of the session.

All of that went by the board when Sean lost control of his car on the parade lap and spun, drawing ugly, dark black lines transversely across the 1.5 mile oval’s surface; then bumped the inside wall separating racetrack and pitlane, damaging the front wing on the car.

Sean Guthrie spins on parade lap at Miami 100. Photo: RonMcQueeneyIRL

The subsequent stop to repair the damage cost dearly, negating the plum second row spot he earned in qualifying before the green flag even waved.

"The car stepped out from me when I was trying to heat up the tires under yellow before the start of the race," he said, labeling the mistake as a rookie’s error that he might have avoided.

Despite the handicap, Guthrie went straight to work on recovering from the gaffe—moving confidently through the pack until he was wheel-to-wheel with the leaders.

"I told myself ‘No matter what, we're not going to crash. We're going to pass as many cars as we can, as fast as we can’."

Indeed that’s just what Guthrie did, setting the fastest lap (186.106 mph) of the race along the way.

Within mere minutes he charged through the field to reclaim his spot alongside then-leader Richard Antinucci and Battistini.

Unfortunately, he was a lap behind them.

A yellow flag eventually allowed Sean to move back onto the lead lap, but by then it was too late to fully take advantage.

No Time to Lament Lost Opportunity

Sean Guthrie finished the race in eleventh place, while a far less-experienced driver won in Miami.

Arguably, if the race had been only ten laps longer, Sean would have moved back into contention for a win using his skill and his street-smarts in the all-important practice of drafting at high speed.

In Indy Lights, though, there’s only one chance to take the prize; and even less time to linger over misfortune when there are two more races only five days away.

“We were in a league of our own today,” Guthrie said of the Miami 100 when it was over.

Team owner Jim Guthrie. Photo: RonMcQueeneyIRL

“It’s unfortunate that a small mistake led to a big lost opportunity, but we’ll chalk it up to experience and head to St. Pete for the next race.”

“The Guthrie Racing crew gave me a fantastic car, and I know it will be just as good at St. Petersburg.”

Gathering Points Important to Championship Hopes

The 19 points Sean earned for his hard-earned finish in the race are the beginning of what he and father Jim (himself an IndyCar Rookie of the Year in 1997) believe can be a breakthrough season for both driver and team.

The immediate goal is to win races and challenge for the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights Championship.

If all goes according to Hoyle, Sean Guthrie can build on his 23-start, two top-five finish resume in the series toward fulfilling his life-long dream of driving in the Indianapolis 500.

Signing former Sam Schmidt Motorsports driver Logan Gomez gives the team two proven speedsters, neither of whom likes to lift off the throttle, to reinforce each other's ambition.

"Having two young guns racing for us is awesome,” said dad Jim earlier this year. “It is great to see the interaction between Logan and Sean, sharing data and driving secrets. I know they both will be contenders for the championship."

"We will be a force to reckon with," says Sean Guthrie of Indy Lights title chase

"It's great to have a teammate as capable as Logan," Sean said. "I was injured when he ran for the team in 2006, so we never got to talk about the setups, fast lines, and race strategies.”

“We will be a force to be reckoned with."

Dramatic Draft-Crazy Finish Boosts Battistini to Miami 100 Win

Panther Racing Paces the Field With Surprisingly Strong Start

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Dillon Battistini. Photo: ShawnPayneIRL

Panther Racing’s Dillon Battistini challenged right from the start, finally besting Sam Schmidt Motorsports’ Richard Antinucci a mere three laps from the checkered flag to win the Indy Lights Miami 100 at Homestead Miami Speedway on Saturday (March 29th).

The newly-signed Brit, driving on an oval track for only the second time in his career, had the right move at the right time after a Lap 60 restart to slingshot around Antinucci; then built his advantage to a 1.7 second lead as the field shuffled in a mad dash under the white flag behind him.

Battistini teammate Brent Sherman, also making his debut in an Indy Lights Dallara after a career in NASCAR, finished third.

AFS Racing Andretti Green’s Arie Luyendyk, Jr finished fourth (for the third time on this racecourse) while Alliance Motorsports’ veteran driver Chris Festa came home fifth.

Several of the pre-season favorites for the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights championship filled out the rest of the top ten: RLR Andersen’s Andrew Prendeville raced to the sixth spot in the box score, SSM’s Ana ‘Bia’ Beatriz was seventh, and Raphael Matos, who contested the lead with Antinucci for much of the race, placed eighth.

Behind them were Wade Cunningham (doing a one-off for Brian Stewart Racing on the 1.5 mile oval), Prendeville teammate J R Hildebrand, and Guthrie Racing’s Sean Guthrie (who overcame a parade lap spin and front wing replacement) with a daring dash through the field at speed to claim eleventh.

Race Recap

The race went off as expected with Matos and Antinucci dicing for the lead over the opening half of the 67-lap event.

Sean Guthrie spins on parade lap. Photo: JimHainesIRL

The pair moved along impressively at the head of the pack with Bia trailing in third as Guthrie mixed it up trying to unlap himself.

By lap thirty Guthrie found himself let go and Battistini began to gather himself in his new role of oval-track racer, creeping up on the leading Antinucci and finally cutting the red and white No. 7 car’s advantage to nearly half a second by Lap 45.

A brief yellow for track cleanup on Lap 49 put Guthrie clear of the leaders to continue his pursuit on their same lap but deeply mired in traffic at the back.

Yellow on Lap 55 for a spin by Antinucci's SSM teammate James Davison in Turn 3 allowed Battistini a brief opportunity to consider a game plan of drafting off the leader that paid off only three laps from the finish.

The Lap 60 restart found the running order Antinucci, Battistini, Matos, Beatriz and Cunningham one through five.

The Brit rocketed around Antinucci on Lap 64 of 67 with a perfect draft-assisted passing maneuver on the steeply-banked circuit that put him in front for good.

Behind them the field engaged in a wild, draft-happy shuffle on the white-flag lap that sent Sherman, Luyendyk Jr, Festa and Prendeville forward; while Matos, Beatriz and Cunningham suddenly found themselves moved back.

The race was remarkably well-driven with minor damage to several machines bringing the only two yellow-flag periods of the 38 minute, 7 second-long race.

Multi-car-wide racing at Miami 100. Photo: JimHainesIRL

Team E’s Bobby Wilson incurred a drive-thru penalty for wheels beneath the white line avoiding another car on a restart.

The winner’s speed averaged 156.560 mph, with a margin of victory measured at 1.6848 seconds.

Panther Surprise Stuns Oval Rookie Battistini

The close-quarters racing produced few incidents and gave the Florida patrons a great show on a sunny afternoon where temperatures reached a balmy 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the stands.

The finish was disappointing for Matos in his initial try on the Indy Lights oval trail, but proved a strong day’s work and a boost for Antinucci’s hopes to master the configuration early on his way to a championship bid in 2008.

On the podium the smiles were as genuine as the shock Battistini and teammate Sherman felt at their first and third-place results.

“I don’t know what to say,” said a clearly baffled Battistini of the victory. “This is more than I ever expected.”

Panther Racing's Dillon Battistini. Photo: JimHainesIRL

“I first drove on an oval a week ago. When I qualified yesterday, it was only the second time I’ve ever sat in the car.”

“The Panther team did an amazing job. It was up to me to time the passing right. I had the feeling that I could sit back and pick my moment because you can slingshot with the draft around the car in front.”

“Ultimately,” he finished, “my moment came because my car was better than all the others at the end of the race.”

Sherman said, “I knew the car would be good, and I would have loved to win, but I couldn’t quite get up there with Dillon.”

“There weren’t many cautions, and at the end I had to go in a hurry.”

“The car was perfect,” he continued. “I must thank Panther for the chance to get out here and get a podium.”

“It was a blast. I had a great time.”

For second-place Antinucci the day was a learning experience, just as he had hoped it would be, but without the win he wanted.

“I think I burned up my front tires too early,” he said afterwards. “Congratulations to Dillon and to Panther Racing for the great job they did.”

"It was only the second time I've sat in the car," says oval-rookie Battistini

He also gave solace to the man he fought much of the race for the lead: “Raphael Matos and Andretti Green will be up near the front all year. It’s going to be a great season battling with them.”

Round One Goes to Panther in Chase for Firehawk Cup

The weekend ends with 2003 champion Panther Racing atop the standings with two drivers in the first three. Battistini leaves South Florida on fifty points, eight ahead of Antinucci (42 points) with Sherman seven points further arear (35 points).

The racing resumes in seven days at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (April 5th & 6th) street course with the first of four double-header weekends in 2008 for the Indy Lights Series.

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Firestone Indy Lights Miami 100 Results

Firestone Indy Lights 2008 Firehawk Cup Cumulative Results

Twenty-Three Car Indy Lights Field Races South Florida Oval Saturday Noon

Miami 100 Kicks off Precedent-Breaking Season of Competition

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

The Firestone Indy Lights Miami 100, the first race in the 16-race 2008 season, headlines the news at Homestead-Miami Speedway this 29th of March. The race will go green at 12:30 PM EDT Saturday, with twenty-three cars and drivers moving on the flying start toward a season of closer-than-ever competition and bigger-than-ever rewards.

The 1.5 mile oval in South Florida plays host to the 67 lap, one hundred mile test for the Indy Racing League’s developmental teams chasing nearly two hundred thousand dollars in prize money this weekend.

With more than half the field composed of newcomers, and a record purse at stake, the Indy Lights season-opener promises more than enough thrills (and probably some spills) to get the heart of every winter-weary racefan revving.

Top-Rank Teams Pursue Indy Lights Presence

The high-banked oval (19-20 degrees in the turns) at Homestead challenges a diverse mix of new and experienced drivers, some of them backed by IndyCar outfits that have extensive experience participating in the series in the past (Rahal Letterman Racing, Andretti Green Racing and Panther Racing).

AGR returns for its fourth season in the series with pre-season title-favorite Raphael Matos; while Panther aims for an encore to last year’s runner-up finish in the chase for the Firestone Firehawk Cup, a result that favorably complimented the team’s championship-winning campaign of 2003.

The purses for the 2008 season have increased substantially beyond the generous four million dollars up for grab over last year’s sixteen race campaign.

The largesse of the racing and general automotive tire-builders at Firestone make possible a series of innovative bonuses totalling over a quarter of a million dollars (including $5000 for consecutive race wins, $5000 for perfect racing attendance during the season, and even a “Lucky 3” lottery of finishing positions) that simply made a really good thing even better.

"Though Firestone has supported the Indy Pro Series since its inception in 2002, this is an expansion of a personal relationship that began nearly 20 years ago," said Indy Lights Executive Director Roger Bailey of the sponsorship relationship between company and competitors that became official only three days ago (Wednesday, March 26th). "It's a tremendous feeling to rekindle a program that began in 1991.

Unification Swells Grid with Rising Stars

Ana ‘Bia’ Beatriz. Photo: RonMcQueeneyIRL

The unification of American open-wheel racing has swollen the field as well, with several familiar drivers from other formulae (Atlantics, Star Mazda, Formula Renault and Formula 3) booking seats in Indy Lights for the coming year.

Matos and Sam Schmidt Motorsports’ Ana ‘Bia’ Beatriz head a field of highly-regarded international newcomers who look to contest the Miami 100, and the Indy Lights championship, most closely in 2008.

“It was a good run," said Bia (as she's known in her home country of Brazil) after she qualified sixth for the race. "We could have worked on it to make it a bit better, but it was good. This is my first race on an oval, and I feel well. I’m quite comfortable and happy and just hope to do my best in the race.”

Only four of the top ten drivers from last year’s Indy Pro Series season return for the new campaign, including Brian Stewart Racing’s Wade Cunningham (the 2005 series champion, driving—for now at least—in only this opening race), 2007 Chicagoland race-winner Logan Gomez, newly-formed Team E’s Bobby Wilson and Alliance Motorsports’ Chris Festa.

The other familiar veterans of 2007 (among them Bia’s SSM teammate—and nephew of Indy 500 winner Eddie Cheever—Richard Antinucci) form a league of talent so deep and so battle-hardened that any advantage anyone in the field appears to hold in the pre-season may soon disappear as the competition warms up.

Typical of the tempered expectations in the face of unprecedented competitive balance are the words from third-year regular driver Sean Guthrie: “Since the start of the season, Guthrie Racing said that all we wanted was to finish in the top three at all the ovals. That’s our goal. If we can do that, we have a great opportunity.”

Richard Antinucci. Photo: RonMcQueeneyIRL

On the other end of the paddock spectrum sits NASCAR veteran Brent Sherman, again a father at thirty-three years old and about to embark on a new career in open-wheel, who laments, “I really don’t know what to expect. It will be interesting to find out what it’s like running three-wide and learning who you can race with and who you need to look out for.”

Indy Lights Competition Heats Up On and Off the Racetrack

The pressure on drivers to find rides this year has become so intense that several promising (even proven) young racers are on the outside looking in: Leilani Munter, Stephen Simpson, Phil Giebler and (one of the scion of American racing royalty) Adam Andretti.

“I’m still looking to get into anything," said Adam of his search in vain for a cockpit to fill. "I'd love to drive in the Indy Lights; or even in the IndyCar Series."

Last year’s race ended under a red flag, but historically the Miami 100 has been one of the closest finishes on the schedule.

The 2006 event was decided by 0.0199 of a second when Jeff Simmons edged Nick Bussell at the start/finish line by a matter of feet. Three years ago, the margin of victory was 0.0713 sec.

"I'd love to drive in Indy Lights," says ride-seeking Adam Andretti of series

None of the race winners from the previous five Homestead Indy Pro Series races (Alex Lloyd, 2007; Jeff Simmons, 2006; Travis Gregg, 2005; Phil Giebler, 2004; Mark Taylor, 2003) are entered in the sixth Miami 100.

All of which means the race will have a new champion at day’s end and the often-tumultuous, whirlwind pursuit of the Firehawk Cup will be renewed for another exciting Indy Lights season.

Raphael Matos Tops Indy Lights Field at Homestead Qualifications

AFS Andretti Green Driver Grabs Pole for Saturday’s Miami 100

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Raphael Matos. Photo: RonMcQueeneyIRL

AFS Racing Andretti Green’s Raphael Matos made an auspicious oval-track debut under the lights at Homestead Miami Speedway on Friday (March 28th) evening, driving his fire-engine red and bright yellow No. 27 Dallara onto pole for Saturday’s Miami 100 race. Matos’ best lap was nearly a mile per hour faster than his closest rival, fellow Firestone Indy Lights rookie Dillon Battistini of Panther Racing.

Rafa took advantage of cooler temperatures (ambient 72 degrees Fahrenheit, track 83 degrees F) and a light easternly breeze to record a two-lap average speed of 186.899 mph to win the $1000 prize awarded the polesitter in the sixth running of the 67 lap season-opener at this tropical venue twenty miles southwest of Miami.

“It feels great to win the pole," said the reigning Atlantics champion. "The team worked so hard during the winter and through the preseason. This just proves to everybody that we can get the job done."

"It feels great to start up front. It's really important at this track. I hope we can keep it clean and finish the race well to collect points.”

He no doubt won friends in the garages by concluding, "When you have good people in the team, you get good results. I'm very happy that I was able to deliver the results for the team. They deserve it.”

Battistini, signed only Wednesday to the second Panther car, surprised with a 186.541 mph two-lap average for a position on the outside of row one when the sixteen-race 2008 Indy Lights schedule commences Saturday at 12:30 PM EDT.

"I joined this team last week" he said. "It’s my second day on ovals and in the Firestone Indy Lights car. The last time I drove this car was my rookie test. So to put that performance in, the team has done an awesome job.”

It was the Asian Formula 3 champion’s first attempt at qualifying for a race over an oval configuration after winning his Indy Lights racing license (on this track) late last week.

2007 Familiars Fill Up Second Row and Beyond

Sean Guthrie (186.089 mph) and Andrew Prendeville (186.054 mph) make up row two on the starting grid, with Richard Antinucci on the inside of row three with a two-lap average speed of 185.993—just missing the 186 mph range of the top four contenders.

Sam Schmidt Motorsports teammates Bia and James Davison, Bobby Wilson of Team E, Brian Stewart’s oval specialist Wade Cunningham, and Pablo Donoso of SWE Racing round out the first five rows on the grid.

RLR Andersen’s J R Hildebrand failed to post a time for the qualifying session when his car failed to start.

Matos’ flying first lap around the steeply-banked 1.5 mile oval circuit was turned at a head-spinning 187.541 mph—faster than Chris Festa’s 187.280 mph pole-winning pace during last year’s ‘best of two laps’ qualifying format.

None of the racers came close to the late Paul Dana’s 189 mph-plus pole-record lap of 2004.

Raphael was the only driver of twenty-two qualifiers to break into the 187 mile per hour bracket during the session, held under the lights at the raceway.

The pole is the second of Raphael Matos’ Indy Racing League career, matching his feat at the 2006 St. Petersburg Grand Prix Indy Pro Series race.

The Miami 100 can be heard and viewed live 12:30 PM EDT Saturday via live streaming internet audio and video at www.indycar.com.

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Indy Lights Miami 100 Qualifiying Results

Team E's Bobby Wilson Leads Matos and Gomez in Practice Two at Homestead

Contenders and Regulars Ascend to Top of Timing and Scoring

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Team E’s Bobby Wilson. Photo: RonMcQueeneyIRL

The final practice session ahead of tonight’s qualifying for Saturday’s Miami 100 followed predictable form with Team E’s Bobby Wilson topping the charts with a lap of 185.608 mph (28.8027 sec.).

Championship contender Raphael Matos came right behind (185.469 mph, 28.8243 sec.), with Logan Gomez third-fastest (185.285 mph, 28.8529 sec.).

Brazilian Ana (Bia) Beatriz and Andrew Prendeville rounded out the top five hopefuls to take the grid on the 1.5 mile oval for the season-opener this weekend.

Pablo Donoso, Brent Sherman, Sean Guthrie, Dillon Battistini and Arie Luyendyk, Jr filled the remaining positions in the top-ten for the one-hour session.

Richard Antinucci was the final runner to slip beneath the 29 second mark to end his preparations for qualifying with a best speed of 184.425 mph (28.9874 sec.) for eleventh.

Jon Brownson was the only casualty of the late afternoon/evening session which ran from 5:15 PM EDT to 6:15 PM. The amiable Coloradan damaged the front wing of the Dallara, sending his Sam Schmidt Motorsports team scurrying to make repairs in time for race qualifying (which begins at 8:15 PM).

“I just got a little loose coming out of Turn 4 and got up into the rubble a little bit and became a passenger," the oval-track veteran said. "It’s unfortunate. I hate slowing up our track time available to us but I guess that is racing.”

Chris Festa failed to post a time during the practice period in the Alliance Motorsports car.

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Indy Lights Homestead Miami Speedway Practice Session Two

RLR Andersen’s Andrew Prendeville Makes Fast Start to 2008 Indy Lights Season

New Jersey Native Posts Quickest Lap at Homestead Practice

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

RLR Andersen’s Andrew Prendeville. Photo: RonMcQueeneyIRL

Sunny Florida proved the hot ticket for RLR Andersen Racing’s Andrew Prendeville as the veteran open-wheel racer from Morristown, New Jersey clicked off the fastest lap (186.413 mph, 28.6783 sec.) in the first 2008 Firestone Indy Lights official practice session of the year.

Panther Racing’s newly-named driver Dillon Battistini was second-quick in the 55-minute session at 185.431 mph (28.8301 sec.), followed by Guthrie Racing’s Sean Guthrie (185.287 mph, 28.8525 sec.).

Pre-season favorites Rapael Matos of AFS Racing Andretti Green and Sam Schmidt Motorsports’ Richard Antinucci placed in the top ten: Matos made a best lap of 185.231 mph to finish fourth, Antinucci a best of 184.131 mph to end ninth.

Other notables in the top ten were Indy Lights’ most-consistent driver ever, Arie Luyendyk, Jr at fifth-fastest; with former stock car driver Brent Sherman sixth and Antinucci teammate Bia eighth.

Further down the timing and scoring board were 2005 Pro Series champion Wade Cunningham (now driving for Brian Stewart Racing on the ovals, while his brother Mitchell contests the road courses this year for the team), newcomer Pablo Donoso of SWE Racing, Alliance Motorsports’ Chris Festa, and Guthrie teammate Logan Gomez in a disappointing twenty-first position.

Optimism Runs High Ahead of Season Opener

Donoso, experiencing his first weekend of Lights competition and with great optimism despite his initial results said, “I am excited to run for SWE this year and am looking forward to running the race. We will be strong on Saturday."

The Chilean is no stranger to Homestead, having completed two USAC Silver Crown Series races at the track in the last year, finishing on the podium driving for A.J. Foyt Racing in a 100-mile event.

Pablo’s driving coach, former IndyCar star Eliseo Salazar added, "Homestead (with its 19-20 degree banking) is a very challenging track; but with Pablo's experience in the Silver Crown cars here last year, if I had to put money on somebody, it would be him.”

Twenty-three cars and drivers saw track-time during the session which ran from 1:30 PM EDT to 2:25 PM.

The practice period was cut slightly short due to excess oil on the surface of the Homestead Miami Speedway 1.5 mile oval.

Ambient temperature touched eighty degrees Fahrenheit with 10-15 mph winds from the East during the session.

Practice resumes at 5:15 PM EDT for a second full hour, ahead of qualifying tonight at 8:15 PM for Saturday's (March 29th) Miami 100.

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Indy Lights Homestead Miami Speedway Practice Session One

Confidence in Team, Self Has Rafa Eyeing Indy Lights Biggest Prize

Brazilian Star Eager to Challenge for the Firehawk Cup

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

AFS Racing Andretti Green's Raphael Matos. Photo: RonMcQueeneyIRL

Raphael Matos stood at a fateful intersection in his racing career’s path: should he leap to the rival American open-wheel series, and forego a two million dollar prize; or should he embrace success and remain within the comfort zone of familiar surroundings and fast friends?

That, in essence, was the choice the 26-year old native of Belo Horizonte, Brazil faced at the turn of the calendar to a new year.

Fortunately for the Firestone Indy Lights series the lead-footed sensation from South America chose the former, signing with AFS Racing Andretti Green to contest the 2008 schedule of sixteen races.

Now he finds himself one of the favorites to win yet another title, the fifth in a once-in-a-lifetime journey that continues to present new challenges; and that Rafa has navigated brilliantly with success upon success.

This weekend Matos will begin the pursuit of what he hopes is the penultimate leg of the voyage to the top level of competition in American racing, on his home turf in Miami, Florida.

"I am arriving in Indy Lights with the most successful IndyCar team in history, and that is very exciting for the future,” he said on the eve of practice and qualifying for the Miami 100 at Homestead Miami Speedway.

“I have to concentrate on winning the Indy Lights championship but, in the big picture, I will also be preparing for 2009.”

The game plan calls for Rafa to earn a seat in IndyCar, the premier level of Indy Racing League competition, after a year of familiarization with oval-track racing in Indy Lights.

If his on-track performance continues on form, there’s little doubt he’ll make it.

Familiar Pattern Emerges Along Path to Success

Matos has never gone two racing seasons without capturing a title.

He began winning with the 2001 Chevrolet Formula Junior Brazil championship, fresh from go-karts in his first open-wheel race car.

He followed with one year of racing in the 2002 Skip Barber Series before earning the Formula Dodge National Championship in 2003.

In 2004 Rafa entered the Star Mazda Pro Series with IndyCar racer Richie Hearn's first-year team; and in 2005 he added that series’ cup to his trophy case.

He won the Champ Car Atlantic Championship in 2007 with six victories, including the first three races of the year and four pole positions, after establishing himself as a rookie contender the year before.

Rafa’s opening shots in the battle to take home the 2008 Firestone Firehawk Cup were true as well, leading the February 28th Indy Lights Open Test field over the 1.5 mile oval at Homestead.

In January of this year he co-drove the factory Mazda No. 70 SpeedSource RX8 to victory in the GT1 class at the Rolex Daytona 24 Hours endurance race.

"It helps to get off to a strong start like we have in 2008," Matos said. "Everything you are driving, if you are being successful, helps your confidence. It makes you feel like you can get the job done."

Only an Oval Remains Between Rafa and Reward

A solid opening to the 2008 season will likely pay dividends toward a championship, especially if it comes on the ovals (on which Rafa has raced only once previously, at Pikes Peak in 2004).

Typical of the supreme self-confidence that helped him make the critical choice to join Indy Lights four months ago, Matos feels he can master the specialized style of turning left quickly and effectively.

"I have a very good feeling about racing on the ovals," he said. "You need to be very sensitive to the car.”

"I've a very good feeling about the ovals," says confident Raphael Matos

“Finding the proper racing line on the ovals makes the difference in the drivers. The best ones can find that line. In testing, I have been able to do that.”

More than any other circuit configuration, oval-racing demands teamwork: from driver, from spotter, from crew and from engineer and tactician. AFS Andretti Green’s long experience in the genre gives Rafa an edge that may be unmatched in open-wheel racing.

“My communication with the engineers is really good,” Matos said of his teammates in the pits and on top of the press box. “Now it is just a matter of running in traffic and getting more experience in traffic.”

“It is a challenge I am looking forward to."

Miami 100 Poses Challenges and Opportunity for 2008 Indy Lights Field

Opening Round Likely to Turn on Balance of Experience and Speed

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

AFS Racing Andretti Green's Raphael Matos. Photo: RonMcQueeneyIRL

Sam Schmidt Motorsports' Richard Antinucci and AFS Racing Andretti Green's Raphael Matos square off in round one of what promises to be a sixteen-round championship title fight when the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights series commences Saturday (March 29th) afternoon.

Both drivers enter the season as favorites to claim the 2008 Firestone Firehawk Cup. And while both lack substantial oval-track experience, their teams are veteran at introducing young drivers to the nuances and vagaries of racing while turning only left.

Antinucci and Matos will be challenged by some of the 2007 Indy Pro Series' best, among them RLR Andersen Racing's Andrew Prendeville, Guthrie Racing's pair of drivers Sean Guthrie and Logan Gomez, and Alliance Motorsports' Chris Festa.

Festa won the pole (187.280 mph, 28.5455 sec.) at Homestead Miami Speedway in '07, then finished second in a red-flagged race that fell 10 laps short of its planned 100 miles over the 1.5 mile steeply-banked oval.

Gomez was impressive as well, setting the race's fastest lap at 186.084 mph (28.7290 sec.).

Prendeville placed fifth last year at Homestead in his first-ever Indy Pro Series start, and summed up the challenges for the newcomers and the regulars:

"The most challenging thing about Homestead will be racing in a pack. There are a lot of new guys in the series, and there will be a lot of anxiety throughout the field. You're banking on other people's rational decisions, and sometimes that doesn't work out too well."

Record-Tying Number of Entrants Contest Miami 100 on Saturday

Twenty-five cars and drivers are named on the Miami 100 entrant list, equalling the record number of cars seen at Homestead in 2007 and at both Liberty Challenge races last July.

Sam Schmidt’s Bia. Photo: RonMcQueeneyIRL

In the field are two women drivers, both of whom are capable of making an impact on the season's results, if not disrupting them completely and wresting the Cup from the convenient favorites.

Jon Lewis' American Spirit Racing driver Cyndie Allemann carries forward the rocking Cabo-Wabo momentum established in 2007 by Robbie Pecorari with experience in Europe racing (of all things) on ovals. She's proven fast in pre-season testing and hopes to become a picture of beauty in motion when the racing is for real.

SSM's Ana Beatriz ('Bia' to her world-wide fans) was a star in the making from the time she first set foot in a go-kart at the famous Interlagos circuit in her home of Sao Paulo, Brazil. She's turned wheels on four continents now, gathering steam and testing the winds; and holds promise of concocting the perfect storm that blows the 2008 Indy Lights field away.

New Season, New Name, New Champion

From Wednesday (March 26th) the official logo and series bear the new title of Firestone Indy Lights, bringing the field full circle to its beginnings with the original Indy Lights series in the 1990's.

"I think it's a great move for Firestone to take that on and step up for the series," said Gomez, who will forever be remembered as not only the winner of the closest professional open-wheel race ever (Guinness Book certified) but also as the victor in the last Indy Pro Series event at the Chicagoland 100 last September.

Logan defeated teammate and 2007 Indy Pro Series champion Alex Lloyd (now graduated to the IndyCar Series) by an incredible 0.0005 seconds in the series' final race.

"Firestone obviously does so much for the sport and they do provide the best tire out there," Gomez said.

"In the past I would tell people what I race in and they would refer back to what they used to be called, Indy Lights," he continued. "I think it's a step in the right direction, as the more recognizable the series, the more people can remember the name."

"Indy Lights is definitely an easier name to say and remember. I think it's great."

Prize Money Grows With Indy Lights Season

The Indy Racing League's developmental series has always prided itself in creating the best possible value in motorsports, historically with sensible constraints on the racing budget and almost $4 million in prize money distributed to competitors.

Firestone's increased participation in Indy Lights makes even more money available in the form of a package of bonuses that provide additional incentive to win consecutive races ($5000) and take the grid for all sixteen races ($5000).

Among the perqs is a novel "Lucky 3" $2500/$1500/$1000 bonus paid to three lucky teams whose finishing positions are drawn from a hat prior to each race.

Indy Lights has boosted the series' total payout by over a quarter of a million dollars with almost forty new monetary awards for 2008.

The prizes are spread over oval and non-oval track configurations on the schedule, including the series' Freedom 100 premier event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Carb Day (Friday, May 23rd).

Indy Lights Continues Mission of Putting Drivers Into the Big Leagues

Jay Howard (2006 Indy Pro Series champion) put his experience in the series among his best moves in preparing for his upcoming season with IndyCar's Marty Roth Racing.

"It was a good decision," he said on the eve of qualifying for the IndyCar Miami 300 on Friday (March 28th) evening. "It really prepared me to advance up the ladder to IndyCar."

"The characteristics of the (Indy Lights) car are definitely relevant to the big cars. What I'm doing now is exactly what happened in the (Indy Lights) car."

"You have to think about young drivers with limited experience, and the cars are pretty much spot-on. The series does a great job" of offering developing racers challenge and opportunity.

"Maybe for the better drivers, the older ones with more experience, the car could be made a little faster," he continued, "but overall it's very, very good. There's an even balance between the two."

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TV Coverage of the Firestone Indy Lights Miami 100:

• Indy Lights Series: Race: ESPN2 (tape-delay), 2:00 PM EDT, April 3rd
• Talent: Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl (announcers); Mike King (pit reporter)
• Live streaming video coverage of Indy Lights Pole Qualifying (8:15 PM EDT March 28th) and the Indy Lights Series Miami 100 (12:30 PM EDT March 29th) is available at www.indycar.com

Track Schedule at Homestead Miami Speedway (all times local; subject to change):

Friday, March 28th

• 9:00 AM – Indy Lights Series Garages open
• 1:30-2:30 PM – Indy Lights Series practice
• 5:15-6:15 PM – Indy Lights Series practice
• 8:15 PM – Indy Lights Series SWE Pole Qualifying

Saturday, March 29th

• 8 AM – Indy Lights Series Garages open
• 12:30 PM – Indy Lights Series Miami 100 (67 laps / 100 miles)

Richard Antinucci Finds Life's Rewards at Sam Schmidt Motorsports

Talented Indy Lights Driver Won Seat with Deeds On the Track

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Sam Schmidt’s Richard Antinucci. Photo: RonMcQueeneyIRL

Sam Schmidt Motorsports’ Richard Antinucci earned a place in the Indy Pro Series championship team’s fabled white No. 7 car by impressing with his prowess on the road and street courses of the 2007 racing calendar.

He took home two winner’s trophies, one each from Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Sonoma’s Infineon Raceway, while clinching the pole at the latter circuit.

On Saturday (March 29th) he’ll attempt to put the SSM Lucas Oil car into Victory Lane at Homestead Miami Speedway for the third consecutive year.

Indy Lights Championship Team Proffers Huge Opportunity to Antinucci

Richard’s second year, his first full year in the cockpit contesting the eight ovals and eight non-oval tracks of the 2008 Indy Lights season, challenges him to cross another bridge toward IndyCar and the Indianapolis 500.

He’ll step into the large pair of shoes left behind by record-making SSM champ Alex Lloyd who has graduated to the IndyCar Series in 2008.

“You could call it a ‘pat on the shoulder’ or special recognition for the strong efforts and good work that was taking place last season on a part time schedule,” Antinucci said of the credentials that earned him a plum spot on the drivers’ roster.

“Whatever we did last season brought a very good drive and a great opportunity to shine, and hopefully take the next step, which is the IndyCar Series.”

Ironically, Antinucci’s ride came as a result of beating the car he now pilots.

“At season’s end we (Eddie Cheever Racing) out-qualified that (No. 7) car, and started beating that car,” he said of his staggering improvement over the 2007 season. “I passed it a couple of times over the last few races.”

“I think Sam (Schmidt, owner of Sam Schmidt Motorsports) probably thought, ‘Hey, we don't want to be racing against this guy so let’s get him in our car’.”

Richard and Team Hope History Repeats at Homestead

There’s additional imperative for a successful start to the 2008 Indy Lights season for Richard in that four of the previous Indy Pro Series champions either won or finished second in the Homestead season-opener (winners: 2003, Mark Taylor; 2007, Alex Lloyd).

Though he has limited experience on the oval portion of the schedule, Antinucci doesn’t consider himself a hopeless novice at the genre.

“My rookie test was taken last autumn on the oval in Kentucky. I’ve driven the short oval at Homestead,” he said, “but I’m still a bit green on the ovals, never having raced on one.”

Much like the former Champ Car World Series drivers who are embarking on the same learning curve in the big cars, Antinucci knows he has a lot to learn about always turning left.

"I need to get used to drafting," says Antinucci of oval education ahead

“I need to get used to drafting, which is a big thing when you're racing ovals,” he said of his first advanced lesson in the self-study curriculum. “There are certain tracks that you can run flat out with the car, so we'll have a very close field. Drafting will be what separates the men from the boys.”

“Turning left all day is very different than anything else I've done,” he continued. “The Indy Light Series car is a heavier car than a Formula 3 car—it’s designed for the ovals. You can tell that because it has reinforcements on the front and rear of the car with a very heavy gear box and engine.”

“It is definitely more physical than racing on a road or street course. You have to train your body for right hand G loads, due to the left hand corners.”

The first test of how much the 2008 Firestone Firehawk Cup contender has learned will come in less than 72 hours when the green flag waves over Homestead Miami Speedway to start the new Indy Lights season.

SWE Racing Signs Pablo Donoso for '08 Lights Season

Chilean Star Moves Up from USAC Trail

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Pablo Donoso. Photo: ManuelParadesA

SWE Racing announced on Tuesday (March 25th) USAC veteran Pablo Donoso as its driver for the team's 2008 Firestone Indy Lights campaign.

Donoso will take the wheel when the green flag flies on Saturday (March 29th) afternoon to kick off the schedule of sixteen races, evenly divided between oval and non-oval configurations.

The twenty-three year old driver most recently contested the USAC Silver Crown Series, becoming the first South American to do so, while driving for AJ Foyt Racing.

He cut his teeth in Star Mazda in 2005, battling current IndyCar Series stars Marco Andretti and Graham Rahal.

Building on his background in karting, Donoso moved up to Argentinean Formula Renault in 2002 where he commenced his professional career, followed by a stint in World Series Light by Nissan and World Series by Nissan in subsequent seasons.

SWE Boss Steve Eppard Eager for Chilean Star to Shine

"I'm very excited about having Pablo run for us," said SWE team owner Steve Eppard.

"I have had numerous drivers come up through the ranks from South America including (Gil) de Ferran, (Christian) Fittipaldi and both Giaffoni's (Felipe and Affonso). I'm looking forward to having the next young stand-out from that continent on my team."

Eppard is the brainchild behind SWE Race Car Parts, a fixture in the garages of the Indianapolis 500 during the month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Brownsburg-based operation fielded Jon Brownson (now of Sam Schmidt Motorsports) and Jimmy Kite in the Chicagoland Speedway finale that completed the 2007 season.

SWE owns a team-best finish of sixth with Mike Potehken at the wheel during the 2006 Indy Pro Series season.