Raphael Matos

Raphael "Rafa" Matos, born on August 28, 1981, is a highly accomplished Brazilian professional racing driver. Known for his versatility and success across various racing series, Matos has made a significant impact in both open-wheel and sports car racing. He currently resides in Miami, Florida.

Matos' career highlights include winning the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights Series championship and the 2007 Champ Car Atlantic Series title. In 2009, he was named the IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year. Before his success in American racing, Matos honed his skills in karting in Brazil and later in the Skip Barber Formula Dodge, where he won the championship in 2003. He continued his ascent by winning the Star Mazda Series championship in 2005.

Currently, Matos is a force to be reckoned with in the Trans Am Series, where he has secured three championships in the TA2 class (2018, 2021 and 2024) and is the winningest driver in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series. His diverse racing experience also includes competing in the Stock Car Brasil series and winning the 24 Hours of Daytona in the GT3 category. In 2024, it was announced that Matos would attempt to make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen International, but he was ultimately unable to reach an agreement with the team.