ATLANTIC SERIES.(Fan Guide)

Byline: STEVEN COLE SMITH

When the Champ Car Atlantic Series debuted the grand prize for the 2006 championship-$2 million for the winner to apply toward a ride in Champ Car the following season-it was big news, and it worked well. Winner Simon Pagenaud was able to run a full 2007 Champ Car season with Walker Racing/Team Australia.

But when 2007 winner Raphael Matos looked for a place to spend his $2 million, he claimed it wasn't enough to buy a full-season ride and a nice salary for himself and did not guarantee him anything beyond 2008, pointing out that Pagenaud had to look outside Walker Racing for 2008. So Matos declined the money and signed with Michael Andretti to race in the Indy Pro Series in 2008. The unification between Champ Car and the Indy Racing League means no such Champ Car problem will arise again. However, right now no one knows how the Atlantic Series will continue, though we expect it to do so-with schedule changes. It is also unclear whether the $2 million will be extended to the 2008 champ, since it is unknown if the series will partner with-or be bought or sanctioned by-another "major'' series.

That said, Atlantic returns with a strong field, including a nice mix of rookies and series veterans. The Mazda-powered cars remain essentially unchanged since their introduction in 2006, so look for tight competition-wherever they end up running.

SIERRA CLUB

With the departure of 2007 champion Matos, his team, Sierra Sierra, hopes to repeat in 2008, mostly likely with series veteran Jonathan Bomarito, though teammate Dane Cameron, while less experienced, will be ...