Several names come to mind when thinking of notable multi-generation racing families in INDYCAR. The Rahals and The Andrettis are the big ones circulating in the IZOD IndyCar Series right now, and in a few years, there might be another familiar name on the minds of current INDYCAR fans…The Brabhams.

Eighteen-year-old Matthew Brabham is the son of 10-time Indianapolis 500 participant Geoff Brabham, who is the son of three-time Formula One World Champion and four-time Indianapolis 500 participant Sir Jack Brabham. Matthew Brabham, born in Florida, grew up racing Australian go-karts and recently moved back over to the U.S. to jump on the Mazda Road to Indy development ladder. He is currently competing in his first year of the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda.

“The [USF2000] series was just by far the best,” Brabham said. “Its role, its program was just the best, it was the most affordable and it was the best option, so I came over and started testing. I got in with Cape Motorsports and we did the Winter Series and basically signed up for the series here.

“Dad was able to help me out here a lot here as well because he’s kind of come through the ranks here and gotten to the top, so it was definitely the best option for me at the present time.”

Brabham has shot straight out of a rocket at his first five races in USF2000. He won the series opener in Race 1 at Sebring International Raceway and has finished second in the following four races, all to his Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing teammate Spencer Pigot. He trails Pigot by six points in the point standings.

FULL INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW BRABHAM

In 2011, Brabham raced in the very different Formula Ford car, which has grooved tires and no downforce that he compares to a go-kart. He's had to get used to having wings and the different tires on the USF2000 car, but outside of racing the biggest adjustment has been the career training he’s received in the series. 

“I’m sorting out all of the media stuff because that’s kind of a big shock to me,” Brabham said. “Coming from Australia, and here it’s just so much more professional, so I’ve basically been spending 100 percent of my time just sorting out all the media stuff like the website, hero cards, business cards and what not, so just trying to get set up here is my full time job.”

Media is just a small part of new things Mazda Road to Indy drivers learn to handle throughout their time in the program. Sponsorship advice, best racing practices, self-promotion and a wealth of other subjects are discussed in annual summits during the season.

The best part for Brabham is the fact that he gets that advice from people who have had to go through it all themselves—past graduates of the Mazda Road to Indy who are now drivers in the IZOD IndyCar Series. This past March, James Hinchcliffe made a colorful visit to the young drivers during the Mazda Road to Indy Summit. At the Indianapolis 500, 2011 Firestone Indy Lights champion Josef Newgarden and Mazda Road to Indy scholarship winner Bryan Clauson had a chat with them individually while giving pace car laps around the famed speedway.

“[The camaraderie] is something you just don’t get in any other series that I’ve ever been in before, or that I’ve ever seen,” Brabham said. “You’ve got all these sponsor lessons and all the [IZOD IndyCar Series] guys come down and talk to you about sponsorship and how the business works over here, and it’s just fantastic to have such great resources the INDYCAR guys offer to the lower categories, it’s just fantastic.”

Next up for Brabham is a visit to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, where USF2000 will meet up with the IZOD IndyCar Series on August 3-5. The series will also rejoin their big brother at the Baltimore Grand Prix in early September. While his family name has already made its mark in INDYCAR history, it might not be too long before the current era is talking about The Brabhams.