Watkins Glen: Chip Ganassi Racing preview

David Stremme and the No. 40 Coors Light Dodge Team Facts:

* Back to The Glen for Cup Debut: Although Stremme has one NASCAR Busch Series start at Watkins Glen under his belt, this weekend's Centurion Boats at The Glen will be his NASCAR Nextel Cup debut at the track. Back in 2005, Stremme took home a 17th-place finish in Terry Bradshaw's Navy "Accelerate Your Life" Dodge.

* Dodge Standings Update: David Stremme and the Coors Light Dodge are currently ranked 25th in driver points right behind teammate Reed Sorenson. Juan Pablo Montoya has made his way to the 18th-position riding the bumper of fellow Dodge driver Ryan Newman as he leads the Dodge pack at 14th-position.

* Chassis: Crew Chief Steve Lane and the Coors Light team have selected chassis #740 for this weekend's NEXTEL Cup race at Watkins Glen International. The chassis was last used by the No. 40 Dodge at Infineon Raceway back in June.

Reed Sorenson and the No. 41 Target Dodge Team Facts:

* First Time Around: Sorenson had an impressive run at Watkins Glen during his rookie season in the NEXTEL Cup Series last year. After starting 40th, he went on to finish the event in 12th with some crafty driving and the help from solid pit strategy by crew chief Jimmy Elledge.

* Dominant Dixon: Sorenson is hoping some of his Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon's road course savvy at Watkins Glen rubs off on him this weekend. Dixon has won three IndyCar events in a row at Watkins Glen, with his most recent victory at the track coming on July 8. Dixon, along with his Target teammate Dan Wheldon, are the only drivers to win three in a row at the same track in the IndyCar Series (Wheldon at Homestead-Miami Speedway).

* CGRFS In All Three At The Glen: CGRFS will have teams competing in all three series events at Watkins Glen International this weekend (Grand Am, Busch Series, NEXTEL Cup). The organization has two teams in the Grand Am race with drivers Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas, Michael Valiante and Rob Finlay; two teams in the Busch Series race with drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Pruett; and three teams in the NEXTEL Cup Series with drivers Montoya, Sorenson and David Stremme.

* Points Update: The Target team remained 24th in the overall NEXTEL Cup Series standings after their 28th-place finish in the last event at Pocono Raceway. The team is 156 points outside of the top 20 heading into Watkins Glen.

Juan Pablo Montoya and the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge Team Facts:

* Wrigley's Weekend: Juan Pablo Montoya's No. 42 Dodge Avenger in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and his No. 42 Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Busch Series will carry the colors of Wrigley's Big Red this weekend at Watkins Glen International. This weekend marks the second time Montoya's Cup car has carried the Big Red logo, he previously ran this paint scheme at Chicagoland. Next weekend the car returns to the black and red of Texaco/Havoline for Michigan. There is one additional race for Big Red, which is Labor Day weekend at California Speedway.

* Standings: Montoya and the No. 42 team remain 18th in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup standings following their 16th-place run at Pocono Raceway. Despite the top-20 finish the team now sits 267 points out of 12th, the final transfer spot into The Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. Montoya is just 51 points out of 15th and has accumulated one win, three top-five and four top-10 finishes this season.

* History in the Making: Montoya will look to make NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series history this Sunday at Watkins Glen International by becoming the first driver to win on three road courses in the same season. So far this year, Montoya won road-course events in the NASCAR Busch Series (Mexico City) and in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series (Infineon), becoming only the third NASCAR driver to ever post two road course wins in different series in the same year. Ernie Irvan in 1992 at Infineon, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series; Watkins Glen, NASCAR Busch Series; and Darrell Waltrip in 1986 at Riverside, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series; Road Atlanta, NASCAR Busch Series have also accomplished that feat.

* Rookie Race: Montoya earned the NEXTEL Cup Raybestos® Rookie of the Race honors for the 10th time this season at Pocono Raceway. He extended his lead over David Ragan in the Raybestos® Rookie standings and now has a 26-point advantage (211-185) following his 16th-place finish last weekend. Montoya was the first rookie to win a race at the road course in Sonoma, and hopes to achieve the same feat this weekend. Ryan Newman came close when he finished second at Watkins Glen in 2002.

* Chassis: Crew Chief Donnie Wingo and the No. 42 team are bringing chassis #742 to Watkins Glen International. The team tested this car at VIR two weeks ago. The chassis Montoya drove to victory lane (chassis #741) will be the back-up car this weekend.

-credit: cgr