Scottish ace Marino Franchitti is hoping his return to the American Le Mans Series paddock is just as successful as last race in the championship at Sebring.

Franchitti joins forces with Scott Tucker and Luis Diaz in the HPD Level 2 machine this weekend – a kind of homecoming for Franchitti who helped HPD, Highcroft Racing, David Brabham and Simon Pagenaud take the overall ALMS championship last year.

Franchitti also played a role in the development of the HPD turbocharged LMP2 engine during the off season.

The last time he was on track in the ALMS, he, Brabham, Pagenaud, Highcroft and HPD pulled off a great performance to finish second overall at Sebring – a performance which highlighted the potential of Honda’s sportscar packages for LMP1 and LMP2.

Franchitti also was part of the victorious HPD LMP2 effort last year here at Petit Le Mans – his second victory in the Road Atlanta event.

Level 5 swapped from a Honda-powered Lola to a Honda-powered HPD chassis at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

For this weekend, the team rolls out its second car. Scott Tucker is entered in both cars with Christophe Bouchut and João Barbosa aboard the #33 machine and Franchitti/Diaz booked for the #055.

Click the PLAY button below to listen to Marino Franchitti talk about his return to the ALMS paddock this weekend with Level 5.

[powerpress url=”//www.michelinracingusa.com/wp-content/uploads/marino_9_29_11.mp3″]