Matsuura passes test

The 24-year-old from Aichi, Japan, completed 134 laps for the team, which ran Roger Yasukawa in the IRL this season.

"It was a great experience," said Matsuura. "It was my first time to drive an oval circuit in an IRL car. The test was good, and I didn't make any mistakes. The car is quite fast, and I really enjoyed it. This was my first time driving in the United States, and it was a great experience."

Matsuura drove for the ARTA-Signature team in the Formula Renault V6 Eurocup this year, having graduated from the German Formula 3 Championship. He has also tested for the BAR-Honda F1 team.

Super Aguri Fernandez Racing's managing director Tom Anderson said: "Obviously, Kousuke has a lot of talent, and we are very pleased with his results from the first day. We are disappointed that we didn't get to run the second day due to rain, but otherwise we are very pleased."

Series regular Scott Sharp was also present at the test, the first time IRL cars have run on the resurfaced Phoenix track that now features more space on the exit of Turn 2.