Rookies Of The Year
By AndreCutler
October 25 2009
It was another banner first year in a new series for Raphael Matos. The Brazilian captured the IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year award for 2009, beating out Mike Conway and Robert Doornbos for the honor. Matos and first year (full time) squad Luczo Dragon Racing posted eight top-ten finishes, with a sixth place at Milwaukee being the season's best result.
Now "Rafa" has a chance to capture an award that is determined by fan votes; the Autosport Magazine Rookie of the Year. Matos is the sole IndyCar nominee in a crowd of ten that includes F1, GP2 and rally drivers.
To vote for the candidate of your choice, go to: https://www.secure.autosport.com/rookie/
The Firestone Indy Lights Series Rookie of the Year honors went to Sabestian Saavedra. The 19 year-old Columbian (pictured above) catured one pole and two wins driving for AFS/Andretti-Green Racing, as the teammate to '09 series champion J.R. Hildebrand.
Having never driven on an oval prior to this year, Saavedra gives alot of the credit for his adapting to a new style of racing to the Andretti-Green IndyCar drivers, who coached him. "I was very open‑minded, particularly when we're talking about ovals. It's the most important to learn about, and I'm very thankful to (Michael) Andretti to be behind me teaching these things along with such people as Marco (Andretti), TK (Tony Kanaan) and Danica (Patrick). It's unbelievable how much information you can get from them".
While Saavedra looks to be easily confirmed for another year at AFS/AGR in '10, he has not ruled out taking a shot at an IndyCar ride if he can pull a sponsorship package togeather.