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Podium-Proven Indy Lights Racer Robbie Pecorari Ponders Future

Kansas One-Off for Guthrie Racing Prelude to Permanent Ride?

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Robbie Pecorari. Photo: DanaGarrettIRL

Robbie Pecorari is your ultimate mid-season, free-agent pick-up (to borrow a term from the major leagues).

Robbie hopped into the No. 55 Guthrie Racing Dallara on Sunday (April 27th) for the Kansas Lottery 100 and posted a podium finish (second place). The margin of winner J R Hildebrand’s victory over the Guthrie car was only 0.0533 seconds—the closest in Kansas Speedway history.

The race was Pecorari’s first since last September 9th’s Chicagoland series finale.

The boost onto the podium was a boon to Jim Guthrie’s team, which has been inching closer to a win since Raphael Matos earned double-victory at St. Petersburg in 2006; and may have been just the ticket to put Robbie back into a seat in Firestone Indy Lights for 2008.

"It was great for me,” Robbie said of the weekend’s work from his Pennsylvania home on Tuesday.

“I verified for them that they have a fast car,” said Robbie, “and showed that I can run up front.”

Fast Friends Pave the Way for Indy Lights Reprise

The union of racer and team was the product of familiarity. Pecorari had previous experience with and knowledge of Guthrie drivers Sean Guthrie and Logan Gomez.

“I raced with Sean in Star Mazda in 2005,” Robbie said, “and last year he and Logan were in the Indy Pro Series with me. They are perfect teammates to work with.”

Robbie Pecorari’s racing future almost never came to fruition.The Pennsylvanian has natural athletic talent, foregoing a future in soccer to pedal the cars faster.

“My dad was born and raised in Italy,” he said. “Before I raced cars I played soccer in high school. Then I had to choose between racing or soccer because the weekends the team played conflicted with driving.”

Robbie won the Nashville 100 last year by driving smart and avoiding the trouble that collected leader Alex Lloyd in a late-race accident. The phenomenal part of the victory was not that Pecorari won; it was his lack of previous test or practice on the circuit that sent heads shaking in disbelief.

Guthrie Racing’s Robbie Pecorari. Photo: DanaGarrettIRL

“Saturday was the first time I was in the car at Kansas,” he said of the Sunflower State reprise of his Tennessee victory.

“The practice got cut short because of the cold weather,” Robbie added of the scant amount of time he had aboard the red and blue racecar. “We lost about half an hour of the time we had available.”

Lemons Become Lemonade in Racer’s Hands

Making the best of every situation is something not unfamiliar to Robbie Pecorari.

He drove his 2007 team to the win at Nashville Speedway on the most modest terms possible. The team traveled in a single small trailer and RV, vagabonds that packed a powerful punch with Pecorari at the wheel.

With a year of experience and proven a winner it seemed a sure bet Robbie would be back in an Indy Lights car for 2008; but things didn’t work out that way. American Spirit Racing (formerly Team KMA) signed Swiss Cyndie Allemann as Robbie sought sponsorship and renewal.

“I talk with Jon (Lewis, of ASR) all the time,” Robbie said. “Right now I don’t have the budget and the team hasn’t a sponsor that can make up the difference. If we can find a sponsor we can do more races.”

It was a tough pill to swallow, given the momentum the team was gaining toward becoming a consistent contender.

“The team changed from last year,” in the postseason, Robbie said. “They have more knowledge and engineering. They’ve come a long way.”

"If we find a sponsor, we can do more races," says Robbie Pecorari

“I got in their car for the Homestead test and you could tell already the car was better than last year.”

His ability to get his ride up to speed in a hurry makes Pecorari a hot commodity for a team looking to make a big splash on a fast-track timetable. And no time of the year is better for making a splash than the month of May and the Indy Lights premier event, the Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“After the weekend we talked and I’d like to drive the Guthrie car some more,” Robbie said.

“We’re trying to figure a way to make that possible. If not there’s still more than half a season left to work something out.”

J R Hildebrand Drives to Indy Lights Win in Kansas

Californian Leads Field to Fast-Paced Oval Triumph

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

J R Hildebrand. Photo: SteveSnoddyIRL

RLR Andersen's J R Hildebrand took advantage of a high groove and a fast car to win Sunday's (April 27th) Firestone Indy Lights Kansas Lottery 100.

The Californian sped outside pole-sitter Richard Antinucci on Lap 20 of 67 with third-place finisher Arie Luyendyk Jr in tow to take the lead.

He never looked back after that, putting the Dallara around the track with precision on his way to his first career victory in the series.

"The team is a big part of my success," he said in Victory Lane. "We had a good setup in the draft and I was able to get by the guys in front of me."

Hildebrand had something in reserve when it came time to defend his lead against a charging Robbie Pecorari in the waning laps.

"My car was great down at the bottom and I wasn't losing speed, making it hard to get around. The team did an awesome job for me today."

Hildebrand becomes the first American to win in the Indy Lights series in 2008, an honor to wear with great pride.

It's also the first victory for RLR Andersen Racing in the series.

"This is the All-American Sport (oval racing)," he said. "We're going to the oval at Indy next month with plans to win."

One-Off for Pecorari Produces Podium Finish

Guthrie Racing's one-race entry for Robbie Pecorari produced immediate results with the Pennsylvanian earning the runner-up spot on the podium.

Pecorari, the winner of the 2007 Nashville 100, moved from twenty-third on the grid to the podium's second step.

"This is a great feeling," he said. "Guthrie Racing gave me plenty of car. Unfortunately I couldn't pull it off for the win, although we did go from twenty-third on the grid to second."

Hildebrand was 0.0533 seconds ahead of Pecorari at the finish, the eighth slimmest margin in series history and closest-ever finish at Kansas Speedway.

Luyendyk Jr made his fiftieth start a successful one by taking the final spot on the podium.

It was his first podium since Milwaukee in 2005.

Hildebrand and Matos battle in Kansas. Photo: DanaGarrettIRL

"AFS gave me a terrific car today," said Arie. "I am glad for the good result, but am still looking for that first win. We're going to work hard to get it next time out."

Dillon Battistini finished fourth, followed over the line by Wade Cunningham in fifth place.

Sixth through tenth were Sean Guthrie, Jeff Simmons, Brent Sherman, Bobby Wilson and Al Unser III.

Yellows Hamper Favorites

The race was interrupted by several yellow flags, the first at Lap 26 when Cyndie Allemann spun and collected Andrew Prendeville.

Jon Brownson, Rafa Matos, Mark Olson and Jake Slotten also found themselves out of control; though none suffered major damage or injury.

Micky Gilbert struck the SAFER barrier in Turn 4 on Lap 42. He too was released from the ontrack medical center cleared to drive.

Ana Beatriz spun on the pre-race parade lap on cold tires, sending her to the back of the field for the flying start. Bia finished fourteenth, one spot behind teammate Antinucci.

There were five caution periods, covering a total of thirty laps.

Hildebrand Assumes Firehawk Cup Lead

The result leaves Hildebrand atop the championship standings over Richard Antinucci, who trails by only three points.

The podium finish also boosts Arie Luyendyk Jr toward the top in the chase for the Firestone Firehawk Cup. He stands now on fifth behind Dillon Battistini and Raphael Matos.

The Firestone Indy Lights series breaks for three weeks before resuming its season on Carb Day (May 23rd) at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for its biggest race of the year: the Freedom 100.

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Driver Interviews from Kansas Lottery 100

Click to download MP3

RLR Andersen's J R Hildebrand

Guthrie Racing's Robbie Pecorari

AFS Andretti Green Racing's Arie Luyendyk Jr

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Firestone Indy Lights Kansas Lottery 100 Results

Firestone Indy Lights Firestone Firehawk Cup 2008 Cumulative Results

Kansas Indy Lights Qualifying Cancelled

Cold Temperatures Freeze Out Sunday Qualifications

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Firestone Indy Lights qualifying was cancelled at Kansas Speedway due to cold temperatures.

The mercury fell to 34 degrees Fahrenheit overnight around Kansas City, and was late to break 45 degrees Sunday (April 27th) morning.

The grid is set based on driver points, with Sam Schmidt Motorsports’ Richard Antinucci leading the way.

Alongside him on the front row is second-place Raphael Matos, then Dillon Battistini, J R Hildebrand and Ana Beatriz (see starting grid link below).

Short WarmUp Stands In for Qualifying Runs

In lieu of qualifications Indy Lights officials held a seven minute, thirty second warmup at approximately 10:30 AM local time.

Andrew Prendeville finished quickest in the first group with a best lap speed of 189.017 mph.

Logan Gomez was second-quick overall at 188.479 mph and lamented the lost opportunity to start further forward than the 13th spot on the grid he was awarded.

"We had tough luck in St. Petersburg and we’re still paying for it," he said. "We used the time this morning to tune the car to run in traffic because we didn’t have qualifications."

He was followed by Richard Antinucci (188.467 mph) in the session run at ambient 48 degrees Fahrenheit and on a track surface at 67 degrees.

Ana Beatriz was fourth-quick (188.397 mph).

Cyndie Allemann finished fifth in the combined sessions on 188.261 mph.

The 67-lap Kansas Lottery 100 goes green at 12:45 PM CDT, weather permitting.

The forecast for the area calls for a thirty percent chance of showers.

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Firestone Indy Lights Kansas Lottery 100 Starting LineUp

Firestone Indy Lights Kansas Pre-Race Warm-Up

Indy Lights Racers Storm to Fast Start at Kansas Speedway

Saturday Practice for Round 4 of 16 Complete at Kansas

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

AFS Andretti Green’s Arie Luyendyk Jr. Photo: SteveSnoddyIRL

Raphael Matos motored to the fastest lap in practice for Sunday’s (April 27th) Kansas Lottery 100, besting teammate Arie Luyendyk Jr for the provisional pole.

Matos’ best lap came late in the day when he posted a speed of 190.432 mph (28.7346 sec), the only racer to top the 190 mph mark on Saturday.

“We were able to run around a lot of people and did a qualifying simulation in the end,” he said afterwards. “We’re pretty happy with the car. I think we’ll be quick enough for pole.”

Immediately behind came Luyendyk in the No. 26 AFS Andretti Green Racing Dallara with a best lap of 189.543 mph (28.8695 sec).

“It’s not easy to drive out there,” he said of the packs of cars charging around the 1.5 mile oval. “We should be fast in qualifying.”

The performance was sufficiently dominating to promote some early forecast of what kind of race tactics the pair might have up their sleeves. Might they find a way to draft and push that proves beneficial on Sunday?

“If that situation comes about, we’ll always help each other,” said Arie. “We didn’t get to do that in Homestead. We didn’t see each other too much. Hopefully we can work together this weekend to push to the front.”

Beatriz Fastest in Morning Session

Sam Schmidt Motorsports’ Ana (Bia) Beatriz was third-quick at the end of the day with a lap of 189.387 mph (28.8932 sec).

Bia was also fastest in the early morning session as well.

RLR Andersen Racing’s J R Hildebrand (189.333 mph in the morning session) and Beatriz’ teammate Jim Davison (189.017 mph) round out the top five.

"I'm pretty happy with the car," said Hildebrand. "A car has to be good on its own and in a draft, and it was in that session."

"It's a little bit of a handful, but it's definitely fast."

"It's a handful, but it's fast!" says RLR Andersen's J R Hildebrand of racecar

The temperatures were on the cool side in and around Kansas City with a high of 61 degrees Fahrenheit under sunny skies at Kansas Speedway.

Marc Williams of Integra Motorsports withdrew from the practice, qualifications and race this weekend for unspecified reasons.

Rookie Mark Olson spun in the early morning practice without damage to self or the No. 8 Michael Crawford Motorsports machine.

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Firestone Indy Lights Practice Session One Results

Firestone Indy Lights Practice Session Two Results

Kansas Lottery 100 Beckons Large Indy Lights Field

Twenty-Five Cars and Drivers Wait in the Paddock

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Twenty-five cars and drivers await the opening of Firestone Indy Lights practice to contest for spots on the starting grid of Sunday’s (April 27th) Kansas Lottery 100 at Kansas Speedway.

As if it weren’t hard enough to win a race in this league, three proven oval-winners have returned to the field.

Resuming driving duties aboard the Team Moore X-Trac Dallara is Jeff Simmons, an IndyCar Series veteran and previous multiple-time winner in the 2005 Indy Lights season.

He’s joined by Wade Cunningham aboard the Brian Stewart Racing No. 33 car and Robbie Pecorari, winner of the 2007 Nashville 100, in a Guthrie Racing machine. Both drivers are making their first appearance in the 2008 Indy Lights campaign.

Thrills a Staple of Kansas Speedway Racing

Kansas Speedway hosted the first Firestone Indy Lights race in history on July 7, 2002. A J Foyt IV took the victory over the newly-opened racecourse.

The Indy Lights have not raced on the 1.5 mile oval outside Kansas City since 2004, when pole-sitter Thiago Medeiros reigned as champion.

The event has served as a bellwether in the past: all three winners from 2002 to 2004 went on to win the Firestone Firehawk Cup.

Kansas Speedway CEO Jeff Boerger was approached by the series in the pre-season about a return to the venue.

“We've become known as one of most competitive tracks out there,” he said, “and have had one of the closest finishes.”

“In fact, in our inaugural season (2002), the series ran here and it was three wide going down the front stretch for the finish—one of the closest finishes in the history of motor sports.”

“We’re excited to have Indy Lights back. It gives added value to our fans,” he continued. “It is great for our fans.”

Competition Heats Up in Round Four of Title Chase

AFS Andretti Green Racing’s Raphael Matos goes into the Kansas Lottery 100 second in championship points to Sam Schmidt’s Richard Antinucci.

He’ll look to capitalize on his growing oval-track confidence and challenge for a win on Sunday.

"This is my first race at Kansas and I'm looking forward to it,” he said. “We were very quick at Homestead all weekend and Kansas is a track that's similar to Homestead.”

“Each time I get into the car on an oval, I'm learning and improving. I need to take advantage of all the practice time we have at Kansas.”

AFS/AGR teammate Arie Luyendyk, Jr sees the race as a challenging bit of fun.

“It's going to be really close racing,” said Arie. “We saw in Homestead the cars were pretty difficult to drive, but I think Kansas is a place that will bring all of the guys together.”

“The track is similar to Chicago,” he said, “and I think it's just going to really make it interesting for the fans to watch.”

“It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

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TV Coverage of the Firestone Indy Lights Kansas Lottery 100:

• Indy Lights Series: Race: ESPN2 (tape-delay), 2:00 PM EDT, May 1st
• Talent: Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl (announcers); Mike King (pit reporter)
• Live streaming video coverage of Indy Lights Pole Qualifying (9 AM EDT April 26th) and the Indy Lights Series Kansas Lottery 100 (12:45 PM EDT April 27th) is available at www.indycar.com

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

Saturday, April 26th

• 6:30 AM – Firestone Indy Lights Garages open


• 10:30-11:15 PM – Firestone Indy Lights practice


• 3:45-4:35 PM – Firestone Indy Lights practice

Sunday, April 27th

• 7 AM – Firestone Indy Lights Garages open


• 9-10 AM – SWE Firestone Indy Lights Pole Qualifying


• 12:45 PM – Kansas Lottery 100 (67 laps/100 miles)

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Kansas Lottery 100 Entry List

Indy Lights' Arie Luyendyk Jr Moves to Two Beats

Spinning Around the World with Indy Lights and A1GP

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

AFS Andretti Green’s Arie Luyendyk, Jr. Photo: JimHainesIRL

AFS Andretti Green's Arie Luyendyk, Jr moves to the beat of two distinctly different racing sirens: the Firestone Indy Lights Series in the United States, and the sun-loving A1GP World Cup of Motorsport that circles the globe.

Back in America for this weekend's Firestone Indy Lights Kansas Lottery 100, the twenty-six year old racer looks to become the first winner at Kansas Speedway since the series last visited the Sunflower State in 2004.

His season has started with a great run at Homestead Miami Speedway where he finished fourth on the oval; followed by a sixth place result in the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg race one on April 5th.

A start this weekend would make his fiftieth, the longest tenure of any Indy Lights driver. His consistency in the series permits him a long-term view of a fast-changing sport.

The changes to the Indy Lights are significant, beginning with the machinery.

"The mono shock (suspension, replaced in 2006)," Arie said, "was difficult. It was difficult to adjust, especially on the ovals. It was a good move to go to a dual shock car."

"IndyCar Series cars are a dual shock, traditional race car. Learning how to adjust the mono setup was not really beneficial."

"The extra downforce (a change introduced in 2007) is good for the short ovals," he continued. "It balances the car better."

Kansas Returns as a FireCracker Event on the Schedule

Kansas Speedway historically produces crackerjack racing, with multiple-car wide charges and close finishes that delight fans and bring them to their feet.

"I think Kansas is a place that will bring all of the drivers together," in packs of cars, Arie said.

"It's similar to Chicago, and it's going to make it interesting for the fans to watch," he continued.

"A lot of cars are going to be running really close together. I think it's going to be really important to qualify well and have a car that will run anywhere on the racetrack--in the high or low groove."

Luyendyk, Jr also cites a higher level of competition as being a hallmark of the Indy Lights series over the last several years.

"The competition level has definitely stepped up," from the series inaugural season of 2002.

"You have a lot of guys trying to get to IndyCar," he said. "It seems to be the best route, perhaps the only route, as far as a development series is concerned."

"We have a really solid field of 22 to 24 cars consistently now, and that makes the racing much more fun."

Luyendyk Developing Worldly Perspective to Racing Genres

Racing in A1GP has given Arie both an opportunity to showcase his considerable skills behind the wheel and pick up on new technologies that have not yet reached the Indy Lights.

"Hopefully we'll soon get shift paddles in the car," he said. "I'm accustomed to driving with that in A1GP and I think it's a great tool for the driver. Now that the IndyCars have them, I think we should go to that too--next year if possible."

"I would like to see the no-lift shifting back. That's something they had in the car and they took away from us, and I really liked that."

"It's interesting how they do starts in A1GP," he added. "They have one race that's standing start and one race that's rolling start. I think for street courses, just to mix it up, we should try that."

Throwing Down the Gauntlet to the World's Best Open-Wheelers

Arie will rejoin A1 Team Netherlands in a week to contest the season-ending Brands Hatch A1GP event at Kent, UK.

"Having 22 to 24 cars makes the racing more fun," says Arie Luyendyk, Jr

Several of Arie's A1GP peers have expressed curiosity to him about Indy Lights.

"I saw a few walking around in St. Petersburg. Jonathan Summerton, who won the Shanghai A1GP race, was there."

"Guys are really interested in the series," Arie continued. "The Euro and the Pound are high now (versus the dollar), so I wouldn't be too surprised if some guys make their appearances."

"That just makes the series better, makes it stronger."

And, "I'm sure if they did, we would have something for them."

IndyProRacer Goes Green for EarthDay

E-85 Ethanol Chevrolet Impala Sedan Follows Indy Lights to Kansas

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

IndyProRacer.com celebrates EarthDay with an E-85 ethanol-powered Chevrolet Impala sedan media vehicle that will travel to Kansas Speedway this weekend for the Firestone Indy Lights Kansas Lottery 100 and IndyCar Series Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 on Sunday, April 27th.

The 2008 FlexFuel Chevy Impala LT sports a distinctive “E-85 Ethanol” logo on its light Silverstone doors, hood and trunk surfaces. The roomy, smooth-riding Chevy is powered by a 3.5 L V-6 engine which automatically senses its fuel source (E-85 ethanol or unleaded gasoline) and operates seamlessly without driver intervention.

“The Kansas-bound E-85 Chevy Impala is a follow-on to the energy-saving and mobile-friendly features introduced on our IndyProRacer.com and A1TeamRacer.com websites in January of this year. It’s our way of acknowledging the many green initiatives spawned in the wake of the Indy Racing League’s commitment to eco-friendly motorsports. It compliments the thrilling hot-lap of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with twice Formula 1 World Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi in the E-85 Ethanol Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Pace Car Concept vehicle that will pace a portion of the world-famous Indy 500 on May 25th,” said Allan Brewer of Allan Brewer Media, owner of IndyProRacer.com and A1TeamRacer.com.

EarthDay was first observed on April 22nd, 1970 with the message “New Energy for a New Era” and urged a transition to renewable energy worldwide. EarthDay activities are held by many groups, often on the weekend before or after April 22nd. Visit EarthDay.net for more information.

General Motors’ Chevrolet Division is a leader in alternative fuel technologies and energy independence with its “Gas-friendly to Gas-free” campaign. Chevy has over 2 million E-85 FlexFuel vehicles on the road, and offers more E-85 ethanol-capable vehicle choices than any other brand. Visit Chevy.com today.

Indy Lights Racer Revving Up Ahead of Important Kansas Clash

PetStops and PitStops Keep Andrew Prendeville’s Motor Racing

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

RLR Andersen's Andrew Prendeville. Photo: AllanBrewer

RLR Andersen Racing’s Andrew Prendeville keeps his love of animals and passion for racing close at hand as he moves from track to track with the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights season.

When the twenty-six year old Las Vegas resident takes the Kansas Speedway track for the Kansas Lottery 100 on Sunday (April 27th) it will mark another step forward in his career and his caring.

Racing Laps for Best Friends, the animal welfare campaign Andrew launched in his rookie season, has been a big hit with race fans and pet-lovers everywhere.

The effort took in over $50,000 in its initial year of operation in 2007.

“The program is going really well,” Prendeville said. “We raised $7000 for Racing Laps for Best Friends at Homestead alone.”

Pay Per Lap Program Supports Animal Welfare Nationwide

Fans pledge a monetary gift from 25 cents to a dollar or more for Racing Laps for Best Friends with every race lap Andrew completes. The pledge can be for as little as one race and is tax deductible.

Prendeville has backed up his commitment to the Utah-based Best Friends animal welfare organization and its partner organizations with more than just money. Through personal appearances Andrew’s donated substantial time to help out the cause.

He’ll appear at the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City Wednesday (April 23rd) afternoon at 4PM CDT to sign autographs for two hours and talk about Racing Laps for Best Friends. The event is free to the public and includes a tour of the facility.

The program allows Prendeville to meld his love of animals (fostered in no small part by his affection for his adopted ‘Ballsy’) with his past experience as a racecar driver instructor.

“We have a 3-Day Bertil Roos Racing School prize to the winner of the Racing Laps for Best Friends raffle,” he said.

The second- and third-place prizes in the raffle are also Bertil Roos racing schools of shorter duration.

Impressive Open Test Sets Tone for Spring Tour

Andrew finished a disappointing twentieth after getting off to a fast start in his last race (St. Petersburg race two on April 7th).

A collision sent him to the garages on Lap 22 of the street course after he moved into the top five from seventh spot on the grid.

He bounced back with an impressive Indianapolis Open Test one week later.

”We’re in great shape for May,” at the Speedway says Andrew Prendeville

Prendeville and teammate J R Hildebrand were second and third on the timesheets at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, right behind AFS Andretti Green Racing’s Raphael Matos.

“The test went really well,” Andrew said. “We had a good day as a team, and it should put us in great shape for racing at the Speedway in May,” in the Firestone Freedom 100 (May 23rd).

Kansas Lottery 100 Points Key to 2008 Success

Prendeville is tied for eighth in championship points going into this weekend’s 100-mile race at Kansas Speedway.

He finished his 2007 rookie campaign for the Firestone Firehawk Cup with an eleventh-place result.

The Sunday afternoon Kansas Lottery 100 start will give him a chance to get back into the fight at the top of the standings alongside Hildebrand (currently fourth).

It’s the series’ first return to Kansas City since the 2004 season. The race was won by eventual year-end champion Thiago Medeiros.

Sponsor The Kansas Lottery is making Kansas Speedway admission available free to the public on Friday, April 25th.

Raphael Matos Finding Worthy Challenge in 2008 Indy Lights Series

Level of Competition Higher Than Expected

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

AFS AGR crew work with Raphael Matos at Indy Open Test. Photo: Allan Brewer

AFS Andretti Green Racing’s Raphael Matos suffered “one of those days” in the April 6th Grand Prix of St. Petersburg race two.

Rafa bumped wheels with then-race-leader Jeff Simmons, punctured a tire and was forced to pit for a change on the very cusp of scoring another double-victory on the street course (just as he did to start the 2006 season).

He finished a disappointing twelfth, a lap down to the eventual winner.

"I was trying to outbrake Simmons,” said Matos, “and was already on the inside and he just turned into me.”

“I was very disappointed for everyone on the team. There's no question we had the best car all weekend. We came out of the weekend with one win, but we would have liked to have won both races."

Finishing well down the field also hurt in the Firestone Indy Lights points standings.

The eighteen points Rafa earned pale in comparison to Richard Antinucci’s forty (diminished from fifty by a ten-point ‘avoidable contact’ penalty).

The result finds Matos pedaling uphill against a 36-point deficit toward the Firestone Firehawk Cup.

Indy Test Puts AFS/AGR Team Back on Fast Track

The Indianapolis Open Test gave team and driver a chance to recoup from their losses at St. Pete.

Matos put up the best speed of the day early on; despite gusty, cool conditions for much of Friday (April 11th) morning.

His time of 47.6587 seconds (188.843 mph) came on only his 30th tour of the Speedway’s 2.5 mile oval.

“We’re definitely quick—pole quick,” he said. “We were quick on the oval at Homestead, too.”

“It’s all about how the car is set up, how comfortable you are with running close to other people,” he said, of his growing confidence on the configuration.

Rafa also spoke of the supreme confidence he has in his owners and teammates.

“I have a great group of people around me: Michael (Andretti), Tony (Kanaan), the whole AGR crew has been supporting me,” he continued.

“I have good teachers, the best in the business.”

Switch of Series Brings Different Perspective to Speed

Matos won the 2007 Atlantics championship, dominating in much the same way Alex Lloyd did in the same year on Indy Racing League circuits.

While some consider the jump to Indy Lights to be lateral, Rafa finds the differences to be subtle but significant.

“I think the mentality is different in Firestone Indy Lights,” he said. “The cars are much different, as is the driving style and the racing is different (i.e. on ovals).”

”You have to go through Indy Lights. It’s the best way.” says Raphael Matos

“In Atlantics the car is lighter, and faster in the corners, more of a drivers’ car,” he said of the contrasting demands of the two developmental series. “The Indy Lights car is faster on the straightaways and more dependent on its aerodynamics.”

The on-track battles have always been intense in the junior leagues as young drivers try to make the cut and race into the big-time of IndyCar or Formula 1.

“I thought the level of competition in Atlantics last year was very high; but this year the level is even higher, more than I expected,” said Matos.

Rafa figures the challenges of the learning curve will soon enough yield to his skill and persistence; the talent and traits that may propel him to the highest level of American open-wheel motorsports.

“If you are looking to get into the IndyCar Series you have to go through the Firestone Indy Lights,” he concluded. “That’s the best way.”

“You learn to work with the engineers on the ovals. For me, it’s the best choice in order to move up to IndyCar in 2009.”

The next race on the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights schedule is this weekend at Kansas Speedway on Sunday (April 27th).

It's All About You on IndyProRacer.com

Interest Grows in American Open-Wheel Racing

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

American open-wheel websites are reporting record usage since the merger of the Champ Car World Series and IndyCar Series.

IndyProRacer.com has been no exception to this phenomenon, experiencing a four-fold increase in visitation.

The momentum began to build in the late fall of 2007 when rumors circulated of a deal between the two estranged big-car series.

Readership at IndyProRacer.com has been lifted by a stunning percentage of new users: in the last thirty days over 60% of you are new to the site and to our exclusively Firestone Indy Lights Series content.

Moreover, a healthy 24% of you are digging into the site beyond the front page--an impressive number given how extensive the reading on our front page.

We Know What You Like

Keywords and page analysis let us know what you like best about IndyProRacer.com and our readers show especially good taste in their choice of favorites: Swiss Miss Cyndie Allemann and rising Brazilian star Ana Beatriz remain consistent winners in your eyes.

Each of these special young ladies achieves more viewer interest than any of the male racers. Only last year's Indy Lights champion Alex Lloyd comes close to garnering the attention of our female competitors.

Is that because the gentlemen enjoy reading of the girls? Or because the women are tuning in to read more about their own? And about handsome Mr. Lloyd?

Global Readership Gives Us Space to Grow

Readership from all over the globe makes IndyProRacer.com spin to an especially vibrant beat.

As you might expect most of our readers are based in the United States: roughly 80%.

The United Kingdom, Chile, Canada and New Zealand follow; then Denmark, Peru, Australia, Brazil and France.

There's even a corps of readers in non-English speaking countries such as Mexico, the countries of Eastern and Northern Europe, Russia, India, South Africa, Germany and Spain.

Growth Creates Opportunities for IndyCar and for IndyProRacer.com

IndyProRacer.com benefits from the merger because of an increased level of awareness of the Firestone Indy Lights Series.

IndyProRacer.com benefits when IndyCar and the Indy Lights Series are healthy and bringing new fans to our sport.

That's not to denigrate in any way our friends at Atlantics, who are another important piece of the driver development pie.

To all who are new here, welcome.

And to our loyal readers who've visited and read IndyProRacer.com since its beginning a year ago, thank you for your support.