Marino Franchitti. Photo credit: Rick Dole

Living in the shadows is nothing new to the Franchitti family. But Marino Franchitti has a huge chance to break through the darkness this weekend.

Franchitti has long been known around the racing world as just “Dario’s brother.” The aforementioned Dario Franchitti, an Indy 500 winner and twice Indycar champion who has occasionally raced in the American Le Mans Series, is usually referred to as “Ashley Judd’s husband.”

It’s the same story again for Marino in 2010, as he has shifted from a full-season drive for Dyson Racing to the third driver role at Highcroft Racing. But despite only running a part-time schedule, Marino still has a fantastic opportunity to shine with the defending LMP1 championship team.

“I don’t feel like a third driver here, I feel right at home at Patron Highcroft,” Marino said. “The car is very developed, and the set up is good.”

“We just couldn’t be happier with the tire, and the consistency we need to push lap after lap, stint after stint. The durability is fantastic and the feel is amazing. That’s a huge part of the puzzle, and part of a winning car.”

Marino will race for Highcroft at Sebring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in October. He stuck the HPD ARX 01-c on pole in advance of Saturday’s race at Sebring, his fifth career fastest qualifying effort in the series and second at Sebring. He rolls off fifth overall. Perhaps adding “Sebring winner” to his record will pull him a bit out of the shadows.