Montoya wants title in the bag

Former Ganassi driver Alessandro Zanardi, and Montoya's current team-mate Jimmy Vasser both took drivers' championship at the Monterey race.

However, the 23-year-old Columbian rookie, who drives for Ganassi Racing, is not far enough ahead of rival Dario Franchitti, to take the title yet.

'This points race has been so intense I wish I could clinch it in Monterey like Jimmy [Vasser] and Alex [Zanardi] did,' said the 23-year-old.

'But I'm having fun and expect to race well there, and hopefully increase my points lead.'

Montoya will be looking to take his fourth consecutive win at this weekend's race.

Scot Franchitti lies 23 points behind Montoya on 171-194, with just three races left after Laguna Seca.

''We have to collect maximum points at Laguna Seca if we expect to have a chance to catch Juan [Montoya] for the championship.

'We've got a good package in terms of our equipment and the chemistry of the team. But we can't make any mistakes. It's as simple as that.'