Edmonton, Canada (My Sportsbook) - In a tale of two seasons, the Champ Car Series has had two completely different chapters.

In chapter one, two-time defending champion Sebastien Bourdais opened up the 2006 Champ Car season with four consecutive dominant wins. He led 267 of a total of 443 laps and held a 31-point lead over Justin Wilson.

Over the past three races a new star has been born. Following his release from RuSport, American A.J. Allmendinger signed with Forsythe Championship Racing for the remainder of the season.

Little did either side know that the pairing would immediately be a success. But from the beginning it has worked and worked well.

Driving the car for the first time at Portland, Allmendinger took a 5.420- second victory. Proving it wasn't a fluke, A.J. followed it up with wins at Cleveland and Toronto.

Allmendinger now sits second in the championship, passing Wilson after the Toronto win. He is now 23 points behind Bourdais and the dominant driver on the track leading 174 of the last 286 laps en route to the three consecutive wins.

"We all knew he had talent, but nobody thought he was going to come in and start dominating the series," said owner Gerald Forsythe. "But it's turned out to be a perfect marriage."

In the inaugural West Edmonton Mall Grand Prix Sebastien Bourdais took advantage of a gift to collect the victory.

When Bjorn Wirdheim crashed on lap 75, it brought out the yellow flag with 13 laps to go. The caution came at a great time for Wilson, who could now conserve fuel and make a run at the win. But during the caution, Wilson accidently spun his wheels and the mistake cost him six positions. The race restarted with eight laps to go. Allmendinger spun out in turn 11 and Bourdais inherited the top spot and the win.

Allmendinger is a much improved driver from one year ago and should he find himself in the same position on Sunday expect him to find his way to Victory Lane.