2010 ALMS P1 champion and last weekend’s Mid-Ohio IndyCar runner-up Simon Pagenaud returns to American Le Mans Series action this weekend when he climbs aboard one of Level 5 Motorsports HPD P2 machines for the second time this year.

With Ryan Briscoe still on the sidelines with a broken wrist, Level 5 has brought in Pagenaud and former ALMS PC class champion Ricardo Gonzalez for this weekend’s Orion Energy Systems 245 at Road America.

Pagenaud is no stranger to success, particularly in Honda-powered cars. The former ALMS Prototype champion claimed IndyCar Rookie-of-the-Year honors in 2012 and backed it up with his first career victory in Detroit in June. Considered to be one of the most versatile drivers in the business, the 29-year-old Frenchman recently took part in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the wheel of a Honda Odyssey minivan. He will be making his second start of the season with Level 5, after a runner-up finish at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March (pictured above).

The Frenchman will drive with Level 5 team owner Scott Tucker at Road America.

Current P2 points leader and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park winner Marino Franchitti will line up alongside Gonzalez. The 34-year-old Mexican driver made three starts with Level 5 in 2012, which included being part of the team’s historic 1-2 overall finish at Baltimore. Gonzalez, the 2011 ALMS Prototype Challenge champion, currently leads the FIA World Endurance Championship in the P2 class.

“We feel it’s best to give Ryan a few more weeks to heal up and we therefore made the decision to have Simon drive for us this weekend,” said team principal Tucker.

“Simon’s done a great job for us in the past and is one of the most experienced and successful drivers in HPD prototypes, so it was a logical choice for us. It’s also great to welcome Ricardo back to Level 5. We enjoyed having him with the team last year; he was an important part of our championship season. I think we’re in good shape for Road America.”