FRANCHITTI: PETIT LE MANS AS BIG AS IT GETS

Just one of the many storylines for 2010 Series finale

Its a different team, different carbut same goal for Marino Franchitti at the 13th annual Petit Le Mans powered by MAZDA 2. An LMP2 winner last year at Road Atlanta for Dyson Racing, Franchitti will go up against his former team for the third time this year as part of the lineup for Patrón Highcroft Racing in P2.

The popular Scot is back with Patrón Highcrofts HPD ARX-01c alongside David Brabham and Simon Pagenaud for the 1,000-mile/10-hour classic. There is plenty at stake with PHR leading the LMP championship in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Brabham and Pagenaud also lead the drivers championship. That and much, much more is a major reason why this years Petit Le Mans is bigger than ever.

Not only is this a great track, but in just over a decade the Petit Le Mans event has cemented its place as one of the big endurance events worldwide - and the fans seem to agree with the huge crowds we get, Franchitti said. Its nice to bookend the championship with two world-class events. It was fantastic to win there last year and I hope to be able to repeat that result this year.

A few more tidbits with the race three weeks out

Franck Montagny and Stephane Sarrazin gave Peugeot its first American Le Mans Series victory and led a 1-2 finish for the manufacturer in the 2009 race. Theyll try to defend with Pedro Lamy.  Audis Dindo Capello and Allan McNish are the only drivers to win Petit Le Mans three consecutive years (2006-08). They will team with Tom Kristensen this year.  Petit Le Mans serves as the cornerstone event for the American Le Mans Series with the first Petit on October 10, 1998.  Twelve different manufacturers participated in the 2009 race. There currently are 16 manufacturers entered this year.  Road Atlanta has played host to more American Le Mans Series events (14) than any other circuit.  Track also was site of first Green Challenge competition in 2008.  Prior to Ferraris back-to-back GT2 wins in 2008 and 2009, Porsche had won eight consecutive class races at Road Atlanta.

The final round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is Petit Le Mans powered by MAZDA 2 at Road Atlanta. The 1,000-mile/10-hour race is set for 11:15 a.m. ET on Saturday, October 2. SPEED will air the race starting at 11 a.m., with live radio coverage available on American Le Mans Radio presented by Porsche  a production of Radio Show Limited  as well as Sirius Channel 127 and XM Channel 242. Americanlemans.com will stream qualifying live starting at 3:15 p.m. ET on Friday, October 1. Visit the Series schedule page for ticket and accommodation information. Live Timing and Scoring, track schedule, entry list and much, much more will be available on Racehub at americanlemans.com.

Related Web Site Links

Link: http://www.americanlemans.com