After finishing third in last year’s IZOD IndyCar Championship and taking his first race victory, Simon Pagenaud made everyone away he was a force to be reckoned with.

However, despite becoming a top-line IndyCar star, the Frenchman still has a very soft spot for sportscar racing. He is back in familiar colors this weekend lining up in the Tequila Patrón Extreme Speed Motorsports #2 entry alongside Ed Brown, Johannes van Overbeek and Anthony Lazzaro.

Pagenaud won the 2010 American Le Mans championship in Patrón colors with Highcroft Racing and David Brabham. Brabham is also with ESM this weekend aboard the No.1 car with Scott Sharp and Ryan Dalziel.

Pagenaud actually has a host of his IndyCar “mates” doing battle in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Joining him this weekend will include 2013 champion Scott Dixon, 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan, 2012 champ Ryan Hunter-Reay, Graham Rahal, Justin Wilson, Ryan Briscoe, Tristan Vautier, Alex Tagliani and AJ Allmendinger.

“It’s a huge race on the calendar, one of the holy grails of racing. It is also the start of the new season every year with an early start in January,” Pagenaud said.

“I’m thrilled be back in Patrón colors with ESM this weekend. I’ve had a great relationship with Scott Sharp and Ed Brown and they attracted me to the race with a very serious program. I have great teammates and it is a very exciting weekend ahead.

“It is good to do so many different racing series throughout the year. It opens up my mind and focus and its makes my driving skills much better. It is great to be back and see my friends here – drivers from all over the world.”