Monterrey, Mexico (My Sportsbook) - That is the question being asked throughout the Champ Car world as the series travels to Monterrey, Mexico for round three of the championship - the Tecate Grand Prix of Monterrey. It is similar to the questions that used to run through Formula One while Michael Schumacher and Ferrari were winning championship after championship after championship.
Bourdais has an impressive record during his three years plus in Champ Cars. In 47 starts, the Frenchman has accumulated 19 poles, 18 wins (38.29%) and 26 podium finishes.
He won the 2004 title by earning seven wins and eight poles. Last year his championship included six wins and five poles.
So far this season, the two-time series champion has been nearly perfect. He won from the pole at Long Beach and despite starting fifth on the grid at Houston won again.
Bourdais made up four positions in the first 10 laps of the race, then took advantage of a Mario Dominguez mental error to take the lead and the eventually the victory.
Bourdais had the lead on lap 27, but problems on pit lane left him behind Dominguez as the pair returned to the track. Dominguez held the top spot for the next 37 laps.
However, on lap 67 Dominguez went too deep into turn five and had to use the runoff area to avoid hitting the wall. By the time he returned to the race surface, both Bourdais and Tracy had passed him by.
Bourdais then held off Tracy for the win.
"It's unfortunate that I lost the race, but at the same time I think it's very positive that we showed today that we can be the fastest, we can get the pole position, run at the front," said Dominguez. "I'm very motivated, focused. I really want the revenge over there (at Monterrey, Mexico).
Bourdais is the first driver since Rick Mears (1982) to defend his Champ Car title by winning the first two races of the following season. He led 33 laps to bring his career total to 1,221 - 21st on the all-time list. Look for that total to increase this week as he goes for three in a row.