Allmendinger enjoys life at Forsythe

Having never won a race in 31 starts before being fired by RuSPORT earlier this season, Allmendinger's win in Toronto yesterday meant he has now become the first American since Al Unser Jr in 1994 to win three consecutive Champ Car races.

The run of form has moved him into championship contention. After he was fired by RuSPORT, Allmendinger was lying fifth in the championship, 67 points behind the then dominant Sebastien Bourdais.

However, after yesterday's Grand Prix of Toronto, Allmendinger has moved into second place, a scant 23 points behind the Frenchman.

"I wouldn't have ever thought that could be just the way it went," Allmendinger said. "But when I showed up at Portland, I think if you asked me, as I was driving from the airport, could I win three in a row to start with Forsythe, I would have said 'no way'.

"But I think after Friday qualifying at Portland, just the energy of the team, how well we were already working together, just how comfortable I felt in the car and out of the car with the team, I would have said 'there's definitely a chance'.

"It's because of the team. I wasn't very happy at RuSPORT, and we weren't improving as a team. I wasn't improving as a driver. When you're in such a tough series like Champ Car, you got such great drivers and teams, if you're not always improving, you're going to start falling behind.

"I wasn't happy, and we weren't improving, so we just needed a change.

"You get in and it's not easy, but it just seems easier to come into a team and just believe in yourself again and have them believe in you and know that. Say something like at Cleveland, we had a problem at the start, went to the back and I can fight through it and still win.

"When you're able to do that, it gives you a lot of confidence and it's nice to be in the car."