Marco Andretti, the 16-year-old son of Michael and grandson ofMario, will compete in his first professional auto racing championship as he has officially entered the 2004 Skip Barber Formula Dodge National Championship Presented by RACER .

The 14-race, $190,000 open-wheel championship begins its fifth season with a doubleheader March 16-19 at the 52nd Annual Mobil1 12-Hours of Sebring. Andretti last year won the Skip Barber Eastern Region Race Series amateur championship, with eight victories in 14 starts, and finishing on the podium five other times to earn his first crown.

He's currently leading the 2004 Southern Region Race Series points standings, with four races remaining.Said his dad Michael, “We’re excited to get Marco going in the Skip Barber National Series for ‘04. He proved he could be a great competitor in the Regional Series -- a great training ground -- and that has set him up well for the National."Mario had this to say: "From what I see, Marco's making a natural transition from the two Regional series to the pro National, which of course is even more competitive. He'll see a broader spectrum talent and competitive styles. I think this is a great way to introduce all these kids to the higher levels of motorsport."

"We have extraordinary depth of talent in the 2004 field," said Senior V.P. of Racing Divina Galica, "Marco among them. I expect we'll see some of the best racing in North America, and continue to be the proving ground for future champions."

The Formula Dodge National Championship Presented by RACER is where a number of today's latest up-and-comers were "cultivated": Ryan Hunter-Reay, A.J. Allmendinger, Bryan Sellers, Patrick Long, Leo Maia and a host of others. FDNC is a seven-weekend, 14-race championship that recently announced a $190,000 prize fund, $100,000 of which goes to the season champion.

In addition, the Champ Car RuSPORT team will awarding Toyota Atlantic test days to the 2004 and 2005 FDNC champions.