Raphael Matos continues to hold onto a top ten spot in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series after overcoming a struggling car and windy conditions to finish 16th in the Road Runner Indy 300 staged at the Kansas Speedway.

“We missed the setup today, but Rafa did a great job keeping things together and finishing the race,” Luczo Dragon/de Ferran Motorsports race strategist and co-owner Jay Penske said. “Rafa has shown a lot of maturity this season. We didn’t have a great car today, but he continues to finish and keep us in the top 10.”

Starting 13th, Matos climbed as high as 10th on lap four but this early surge proved to be a false dawn as he struggled with the back end of the car.

“We thought we would have a car that could be competitive in the race, but it was just one of those days,” Matos said. “The car had a certain behavior in the beginning of the race and even though I was able to adjust some things in the cockpit it never was right. I had many close calls, many moments, but I was focused on bringing the car home undamaged heading to Indy.”

Matos is now tied for 10th in the series standings with 98 points heading into the Indianapolis 500 where Davey Hamilton will join him in a second Luczo Dragon/de Ferran Motorsports entry. Both drivers will start their preparations at the pre-Indy test in Kentucky on May 4.

“We’re in the top 10 and we have finished every race this season and that’s a big accomplishment,” Matos said. “It’s only my second year and seat time is very valuable. I’m getting great experience, learning every race and gaining more and more confidence as we finish these races.”