Montreal: Goodyear Racing race notes

MATOS WINS STAR MAZDA RACE DURING FORMULA ONE WEEKEND

MONTREAL, Quebec (June 12, 2005) -- Raphael Matos recorded his fourth straight victory, leading flag-to-flag in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The event was part of the Formula One weekend at the track.

The 2.747-mile road course is named for the former racing great.

Matos, a Brazilian, started on the pole and was never headed, though he was pressed at times. His margin of victory was a comfy 2.775 seconds.

Graham Rahal finished second, Robbie Pocorari was third, Scott Jenkins took fourth and Marco Andretti came home fifth.

"At the start, Scott was looking to take the lead into the first corner, but I was able to hang on -- Graham had a strong run," Matos said.

It was the second podium finish for Rahal, son of former driving star Bobby Rahal. The younger Rahal said, "The tires were consistent. They lasted the entire race and never fell off."

Andretti, the latest racer in the legendary American racing family, turned the fastest lap of the race.

Drivers who did not make it to the podium turned two of the most impressive drives of the race in. Mark Wilkins finished sixth after starting 14th and Brandon Thomas started 39th in the 42-car field and weaved his way to 10th by the end.

The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear holds races all over North America and is part of a program that includes regional series. The cars are produced by Star Racing, and are eligible for Formula Mazda competition in the Sports Car Club of America's amateur ranks.

Goodyear produces the only tires eligible for use in national or regional Star Mazda competition. Goodyear has also been the most successful tiremaker in Formula Mazda competition, which is open to other tiremakers.

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