Marino Franchitti’s fortunes at the top of the P2 championship continued to shine bright in Austin today when the Scotsman scored pole position for Level 5 Motorsports today.

In conditions looking more like Scottish weather, than Texas, Franchitti took pole by nearly 1.3 seconds on a damp Circuit of The Americas track.

Franchitti’s teammate Ryan Briscoe wasn’t so fortunate – breaking a hub on the out lap and loosing a wheel.

Johannes van Overbeek was next up in the P2 class – out-pacing Extreme Speed Motorsports teammate Anthony Lazzaro.

“On the outlap, Ryan’s right rear wheel came off. That was a bit exciting. They had a hub snap,” Franchitti said.

“It was a bit greasy out there. You needed the wet tire, it wasn’t dry enough for slicks. I was just hanging on, and just doing enough. Then it was hoping that the competition wouldn’t keep up.

“Good job by the Level 5 team, and I’m happy to be on the pole here at Austin. To be honest, I haven’t looked at the weather tomorrow, I’m taking it day to day, or more like minute by minute. The weather is changing all the time, it’s a bit like Scotland but a lot hotter.”

Franchitti holds a four point lead in the championship over teammate Guy Cosmo in the P2 title chase.