De Phillippi secured the series title

Enjoying one of the most dominating season in recent series history in his sophomore season with a championship-leading seven wins.

1. Connor De Phillippi – Series Champion

7 wins, 10 podiums, 11 top-fives, 4 pole positions
3rd in 2008 EFCN Skip Barber National Top-10

When the 2009 Skip Barber National season got underway back in the spring, Connor De Phillippi was widely expected to challenge for wins and the series title, given his strong rookie performance on year prior.

The talented Californian promptly lived up to those expectations, enjoying one of the most dominating season in recent series history. The driver to beat at virtually ever event, De Phillippi led the championship from start-to-finish, ending the season with not only the series title, but also a series-high seven wins and 10 podium finishes.

In capturing the championship crown, the 2009 Team USA Scholarship driver joins the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder program, earning a funded ride in the 2010 Star Mazda Championship with a yet to be decided team. 
 
Court Vernon enjoyed a standout rookie season with two wins and second place in the championship fight

2. Court Vernon
2nd in Championship, Rookie of the Year
2 wins, 8 podiums, 9 top-fives, 4 pole positions

Given his success in the karting ranks and the fact he was a MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder race pilot, earning a funded ride in the series, it should not be surprising that Court Vernon was one of he drivers to watch in his rookie campaign. The Floridian quickly adapted to Skip Barber National competition, running among the front-runners right from the get go.

Gaining experience each time he got behind the wheel, Vernon not only developed into a multi-race winner by season’s end, but a championship contender as well. It remains to be seen if Vernon will return to the series in 2010 in order to try and capture the series title and prestigious prize package, or if the teenager will make the move up the motorsports ladder. 
 
Sage Karam ended his rookie season with a pair of pole positions and a win at Lime Rock Park

3. Sage Karam
3rd in Championship
2 wins, 5 podiums, 6 top-fives, 2 pole positions

Over the years, the Skip Barber National series has garnered a reputation for starting the careers of several very talented drivers. Sage Karam looks set to continue that trend following a highly successful rookie campaign in 2009.

While the Pennsylvania karting standout did not enjoy the best of starts during the season-opening doubleheader, he quickly put the less desirable results behind him.

Steadily improving each time he went racing, Karam was a frequent front-runner by the mid-season point and two-time winner by season’s end. It is believed the talented teenager will be back for a second season in 2010, making him an early favorite to challenge for top honors, while also adding to his win totals. 
 
Felipe Polehtto likely would have challenged for the series title had he contested a full season

4. Felipe Polehtto
10th in Championship
1 win, 4 podiums, 7 top-fives, 2 pole positions
5th in 2008 EFCN Skip Barber National Top-10

When Felipe Polehtto looks back at 2009, he will likely be less than pleased with the end result, despite having shown the speed and skill of a race winner. The leading returning driver to the series, having finished third as a rookie in 2008, the Brazilian was expected to challenge for wins and the title this past year.

While that initially appeared to be the case, running among the leaders in the opening few rounds, including scoring a win at VIR, Polehtto’s season came to an abrupt end at the end of July reportedly due to finances. Should he find the funding to return to racing, Polehtto has shown the speed to win races in the junior formula car ranks.
 
Sean Rayhall added series win at his home track to his racing resume in 2009

5. Sean Rayhall
7th in Championship
1 win, 3 podiums, 6 top-fives, 9 top-10s
9th in 2008 FCM Skip Barber National Top-10

Much like his partial rookie season in 2008, Sean Rayhall will view the 2009 race campaign as positive race-winning experience. The Georgia native, gaining experience and confidence each time he got behind the wheel, went from being an occasional front-runner in the early stages of the season, to one of the drivers to beat at season’s end, earning a second career victory in the process.

While the teenager has toyed with the idea of moving up the motorsports ladder in 2010, many believe he would be one of the leading title contenders should he return to Skip Barber National competition in 2010.
 
Brett Smrz was a title contender until funding issues ended his season prematurely

6. Brett Smrz
13th in Championship
1 win, 2 podiums, 3 top-fives, 4 top-10s

For Brett Smrz, the 2009 Skip Barber National season will be one of lost opportunity. Making his series debut following a championship-winning campaign in the Jim Russell Championship Series, the Idaho native quickly became one of the drivers to watch.

Poised to challenge for the series title following successful runs in the opening few races, including a win at VIR, his season was derailed after just three events due to funding issues.

However thanks to a strong showing as part of the Team Scholarship effort and another Jim Russell Championship title, it is believed his formula career may be back on-course in 2010, with the goal of running a full season in the Star Mazda Championship.
 
Kyle Marcelli showed the speed and skill to challenge for the title in his limited 2009 campaign

7. Kyle Marcelli
9th in Championship
3 podiums, 7 top-fives, 10 top-10s
2nd in 2008 EFCN F2000 Championship Series Top-10
2nd in 2007 EFCN Formula Ford Top-10

While Kyle Marcelli will ultimately not be pleased with a non-winning performance in the 2009 Skip Barber National series, he continued to show he has the skill and speed to succeed in the junior formula car ranks.

Entering the season on an event-by-event basis, the Canadian was immediately one of the front-runners in the hotly contested championship chase, finishing on the podium multiple times.

That remained the case until the closing stages of the season, when funding and scheduling conflicts with his IMSA Lights program brought his season to an early end. While yet to be officially confirmed, it is believed Marcelli will return to formula car competition full-time in 2010 via the Star Mazda Championship.
 
Dennis Trebing worked his way on to the podium twice in 2009

8. Dennis Trebing
4th in Championship
2 podiums, 4 top-fives, 10 top-10s

For Dennis Trebing, the 2009 Skip Barber National season proved to be a highly successful rookie campaign. The Florida-based driver was a model on consistency, running just behind the lead pack week after week, gaining not only valuable points, but also vital racecraft experience.

As a result, many expect the 2008 Southern Regional champion to not only challenge for wins should he return to the series in 2009, but be one of the leading championship contenders.
 
Stevan McAleer added another series podium finish to his racing resume in 2009

9. Stevan McAleer
11th in the Championship
1 podium, 5 top-fives, 6 top-10s, 1 pole position
7th in 2008 EFCN Skip Barber National Championship Top-10
4th in 2007 EFCN Skip Barber National Championship Top-10

While the a great deal of the focus year after year in the Skip Barber National series is on the talented rookie crop, every year one or two series veterans rise to the forefront. In the 2009, one such driver was Stevan McAleer.

While the third-year Scottish driver was never truly a threat to win the championship title, more than once he was among the lead pack battling for the win. One of 10 finalist for the Grand Prix Shootout program, it is believed McAleer has returned his racing focus back to Europe for 2010.
 
Isaac Lyons rookie season featured on visit to the podium

10. Isaac Lyons
5th in Championship
1 podium, 3 top-fives, 8 top-10s, 1 pole position

Making the move up from the karting ranks full-time in 2009 via the Skip Barber National series, the goal from day one for Isaac Lyons was to gain experience each and every time he got behind the wheel.

The British race pilot did just that, steadily improving with each passing event, consistently running just behind the lead pack. Should Lyons return to the series in 2010, many expect he will pay visit to victory lane and potentially become a title challenger.

Past EFCN Top-10 lists can be found HERE

source:  eformulacarnews.com (Photos: Skip Barber Racing)