Overheard at Mid-Ohio

We hear that the Atlantic Sierra Sierra team will be moving over to the Firestone Indy Lights league in 2009. Don't be surprised to see other teams follow suit. That series should have been sold to Tony George and become and official step below Indy Lights on the USA open wheel ladder……Former Atlantics turned AGR Indy Lights driver Rafael Matos is a major talent but unless one of the four drivers on the AGR IndyCar side of the house leave, there is no room for Matos on the team next year, which means he may drive alongside Franck Montagny for the AGR ALMS effort, like they are doing this weekend…..We hear that Honda is also in favor of the next IRL engine being turbocharged…….A race in Portland may still be in the running because it is not a market NASCAR has penetrated. However, the facility needs work and the money does not appear to be there. Mark C. reporting from Mid-Ohio