Rafael Matos is finally going to get his chance.
The 27-year-old Brazilian has done everything a young driver can do to get a shot at the big time: He's won races, championships and been a team player.
But it seemed like nothing Matos did could get him a ride at the top level of American open-wheel racing - until now.
This week, the reigning Firestone Indy Lights champion signed a multiyear deal to drive for the fledgling Luczo Dragon Racing team co-owned by Steve Luczo and Jay Penske - son of American open-wheel racing's most successful car owner, Roger Penske.
Following a strong IndyCar debut in 2007, when Ryan Briscoe finished fifth at the Indianapolis 500, the team ran a part-time schedule this year and will become a full-time participant in 2009.
Matos will replace Tomas Scheckter, who drove six races for Luczo Dragon this season. Scheckter's best finish was 23rd at Kansas.
Matos isn't worried about the past. He just wants to get into the cockpit and show what he can do.
``I couldn't be more excited about everything, it's an unbelievable opportunity,'' Matos said. ``We have a very good team. All the pieces are in place. We just need to build a solid base through preseason testing, put everything together and go for it. I can't wait to get started.''
Jay Penske, whose team is independent of his father's elite Team Penske operation, believes he and Luczo may have pulled a coup by signing Matos, who has won championships in four of the last six years, including titles in Indy Lights (2008), Atlantics (2007), Star Mazda (2005) and the Skip Barber National Series (2003).
``Any time you can win four championships in six years like Rafa has done, you have some special qualities,'' Penske said. ``He is ready for the IndyCar Series, and we are so thrilled to have him.''
At times, Matos despaired of ever getting his big chance.
Last year, he won the Atlantics title and a bonus of $2 million that he could only use toward a ride in the Champ Car World Series in 2008. But Champ Car went belly up in February and most of its teams and drivers were absorbed into the rival IndyCar Series. That left Matos without the $2 million or a ride.
He was quickly picked up by AFS/Andretti Green Racing, but for the second-tier Indy Lights series, not IndyCar.
Matos was undaunted, going about his business with focus and determination and winning four races on the way to the championship.
``On the technical side, I have to say that this year I learned the most in my career,'' Matos said. ``I learned with all the IndyCar drivers. I learned a lot with (teammate Arie) Luyendyk (Jr.), especially on the ovals.
``Obviously, I've been learning a lot with all the engineering group. It's such a great group of people. I've been able to get all that information and keep (it) in my brain. I've been improving a lot on the technical side and as a driver as well.''
Matos thought he might get to move up with Andretti Green in 2009, but there were no openings on the four-car team after Tony Kanaan signed a five-year contact extension in August.
``When TK signed, I kind of felt the way things were going there it would be difficult to put a fifth car together,'' Matos said. ``They're very focused on running four cars.''
But when that door closed, another opened.
``It's definitely the biggest step in my career,'' Matos said. ``This is such a young and promising organization. We pretty much have the same philosophy. Jay and Steve have worked so hard to put this team together, a lot of effort behind it.
``I'm the same way. I've worked really hard to get here, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win races and, obviously, our ultimate goal is the championship.''
The Luczo Dragon team, named for one of the co-owners and an antiquarian book store run by Penske in Los Angeles, divides any profits among about a dozen charities.
``I am pleased we are in a position to have Rafa join our team,'' Luczo said. ``We are most excited about building a winning program with Rafa and helping others through our charity program. Together Rafa, Jay and I will be selecting a charitable organization in Brazil that furthers our goals to help others through our racing efforts and success.''
Matos can hardly wait to get started on the whole program.
``It's a great feeling to be part of something like this,'' Matos said. ``To be able to race in IndyCar and raise money for people who need it so badly, that's a great thing to be part of.''
