=== Bourdais makes it three-in-a row ===

Monterrey, MX (Betting Express) - Sebastien Bourdais captured the Champ Car Tecate Grand Prix of Monterrey. The No.1 McDonald's Lola driver crossed the finish line 3.066 seconds ahead of Justin Wilson.

The victory was Bourdais' third of the season and 19th of his Champ Car career.

After winning his fourth consecutive pole at the Monterrey circuit Bourdais led the 17-car field to the green flag Sunday afternoon under a hot sun.

The race got off to a clean start with no early accidents or problems. On lap one while Bourdais held onto his lead Paul Tracy passed Bruno Junqueira for fourth.

The two-time series champion continued to lead despite pressure from Wilson. Bourdais decided early to conserve fuel, even if it only allowed for a slim margin, rather then have a huge margin and waste fuel.

Bourdais continued his dominance up front as he led the field to the first caution on lap 24 for debris. This was the first opportunity for pit stops.

In the pits Bourdais and Wilson both filled up on fuel and got new tires. But Wilson was simply faster out of the pits then Bourdais. The very quick stop by Wilson's crew allowed him to come out of the pits ahead of Bourdais for first place.

When the green flag dropped on lap 27, Bourdais put two tires on the grass in turn one which slowed him down. This was just enough for A.J. Allmendinger to pass him on the outside for second spot.

Wilson wasted no time opening up a wide margin on the field as he expanded his lead to three seconds by lap 40. Behind the leader Allmendinger maintained the second spot with a one-second margin over Bourdais.

The turning point in the race came when the last round of pit stops took place. On lap 56, one lap after Allmendinger made his stop, Wilson came in for his last refueling. While they were stopped Bourdais inherited the lead and clean air and he took full advantage posting the fastest lap of the afternoon.

On the next lap Bourdais came in for fuel and tires and his pit crew gave him a very fast stop.

Where would Bourdais be positioned coming out of the pits?

The answer became clear as Bourdais entered the track in front of Wilson and Allmendinger. The fastest lap of the race coupled with a quick stop gave Bourdais the lead and control of the race.

Bourdais, now on the sticky "red" tires, quickly pulled away from Wilson and it became obvious Bourdais had his sights set on winning the first three races of the season. Tracy, who in 2003 was the last driver to win the first three events of the season, went on to win the championship that year.

It was going to take a miracle for a driver other than Bourdais to win the race. That miracle almost took place on lap 71. Two drivers from the back of the field cut a turn by going over the grass and almost crashed into Bourdais as they re-entered the track. Bourdais was fortunate enough to escape what would have been the race-ending crash.

After the incident Bourdais was able to resume his dominance. And after 76 laps of competition he crossed the finish line victorious.

Allmendinger, Tracy, and Alex Tagliani completed the top-five.

The next race in the series is set for Sunday, June 4th at the Milwaukee Mile.