FA: Champions crowned.

The awards have been handed out in the Champ Car Atlantic Series after the season drew to a close last weekend with the Grand Prix of Road America.

While he wrapped up the title in the penultimate round of the 2007 championship at San Jose, it wasn't until Sunday night that Brazilian racer Raphael Matos officially received his $2 million prize toward a 2008 ride in the Champ Car World Series and several other prizes.

Champ Car president Steve Johnson and 2006 Atlantic champion Simon Pagenaud - who used his $2 million bonus to help secure a 2007 Champ Car ride with Team Australia - presented Matos with his $2 million bonus, as well as the Champion's Trophy.

The pair also presented Matos with an original painting by Champ Car clerk of the course and motorsports artist Jim Swintal depicting Matos' sweep of the Grand Prix of Edmonton doubleheader, as well as a Rolex watch from the Cooper Tire and Rubber Company, a chequered flag signed by all of the series officials and a $2,500 prize from Coast Fabrication. In addition to the $2 million bonus, Matos earned a total of $234,560 in prize money during the 2007 season.

Cooper Tires and Mazda also unveiled a new program for 2007 in which every driver in the series will receive a specially-designed "class ring". Matos will receive a special champion's ring in honour of his accomplishments.

While Matos obviously took home most of the night's hardware, several of his fellow competitors were also honoured with prizes. French driver Franck Perera claimed the second place trophy and $195,600 in total prize money for his runner-up performance in the championship. In the first presentation of the evening, Perera received the 2007 Rookie of the Year Award and a $1,000 prize from Coast Fabrication from his fellow Frenchman, Pagenaud, who claimed the 2006 rookie title in addition to the overall championship.
Perera's team, Condor Motorsports, also earned their choice of a full year of brake pads or four car sets of discs and peg drive assemblies courtesy of Performance Friction Corporation.

Canadian rookie Robert Wickens was honoured for his third-place performance in the championship and received his trophy and total winnings of $141,800. Earlier in the evening, Wickens was presented with the BBS Rising Star Award which included a $4,500 check and a specially-designed coffee table incorporating a BBS wheel and Cooper Tire etched with Wickens' name and award.

James Hinchcliffe was honoured for his fourth-place performance in the championship and took home a total of $118,840 in prize money earnings. Hinchcliffe also claimed the prestigious Gilles Villeneuve Award, which is presented to the driver who possesses extraordinary ability and that special star quality, and who has distinguished himself through sportsmanship, dedication and perseverance in the face of disappointment.

Fifth-place honours went to American Atlantic veteran Jonathan Bomarito. The PR1 Motorsports driver claimed total prize money earnings of $125,120 and was also presented with the Michael Rosen Award, named after a former Atlantic competitor. The award recognises both dedication and perseverance, as well as the desire to succeed against all odds.

Italian rookie Giacomo Ricci claimed $93,080 in prize money earnings for his sixth-place performance in the championship, while seventh-place finisher J.R. Hildebrand earned $68,900. Alan Sciuto took home $67,400 for finishing eighth in the championship, with $64,000 going to 16-year-old American rookie John Edwards for finishing ninth. Carl Skerlong rounded out the top ten with total prize money earnings of $60,240.

Although he just missed out on his quest to finish inside the top 10 in the final point standings, Atlantic veteran Justin Sofio was part of a pair of prestigious awards. Sofio claimed the Jovy Marcelo Sportsmanship Award, which drew one of the evening's most enthusiastic ovations. Not to be outdone his Mathiasen Motorsports team claimed a $14,000 prize and an original painting by renowned artist Randy Owens as the 2007 recipients of the Sherwin Williams "It's All In The Finish" final award for the team with the best colour, design, gloss and overall appearance.

For their roles in helping Matos and Sierra Sierra Enterprises claim the 2007 Champ Car Atlantic titles, Lee Dykstra was honored as the 2007 Engineer of the Year, while Jethro Austin claimed the Snap-on/CAM Top Wrench Award and a $2,500 gift certificate from Snap-on Tools.

Third-year Atlantic team owner Shane Seneviratne of US RaceTronics claimed the Team Owner of the Year Award, while Brooks Associates Racing crew chief Duarte Fidalgo claimed the Lincoln Welders Mechanic of the Year Award. Fidalgo also received a Lincoln Welders Precision TIG 225 welding package.