Junior Open Wheel Talent

With so much open wheel racing news being released at once, it's time for another edition of Linkage.

Lead Story: 2008 Indy Lights champion Rafa Matos will drive for Luczo Dragon Racing in the IndyCar Series for 2009. After such a successful venture through the American junior formula ranks, anything less would have created a total collapse of the ladder system.

2005 Super Kart Illustrated "Rising Star" award winner, Cole Whitt continued his dirt track development with a win at Terra Haute, Indiana.

Italian Motors lead ICC driver, David Jurca concluded his Jetta TDI Cup season on Saturday October 4th at Road Atlanta. Jurca finished in fourth place overall after leading the championship for most of the season. It appears that a mistake by Volkswagen officials may have cost him the championship as he hadn't finished outside the top 6 until he tried to drive a damaged car.

Red Bull Junior driver Robert Wickens won Sunday's F3 Euro Series race at Le Mans in the rain. Wickens who is known as one of the busiest junior formula drivers in the world, won in both the World Series by Renault and the F3 Euro Series this season.

Stars of Karting standout and European KZ1 pilot, Gary Carlton tried his hand at driving a Ford Focus Midget race car alongside Star Mazda championship contender Joel Miller and Stars of Karting ICA pilot James Kennedy. The test was courtesy of Wally Pankratz Racing and Maier Racing.

It appears that IndyCar/Indy Lights driver Franck Perera will return to Europe and the GP2 Series for 2009. Rosters are currently being set for the GP2 Asia series so stay tuned for driver/team updates.