by Lee Spencer

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Ironically, Parrott was the crew chief for the No. 42 Dodge team and Juan Pablo Montoya, who won last year's NASCAR romp at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez after he knocked Pruett out of the lead on the 2.518-mile road course in Mexico City with eight circuits remaining in the race.

Pruett, who was the polesitter, led 22 laps but dropped to 17th after the spin. He fought back to a fifth-place finish.

The second-generation crew chief is convinced that his new team — the No. 40 Fastenal Dodge driven by Pruett — is equally capable of racing its way into Victory Lane.

"I have a driver that's going in the car that spun him out last year," Parrott said. "We had it in the bag. The faster car did win the race, but the faster car did take his teammate out. I felt bad for Scott because that was his best opportunity to win a Busch (now Nationwide Series) race.

"This weekend we're going to give him that opportunity. If the crew performs its job and the car doesn't fall apart, we'll be contenders for sure. But the plan is to win it."

With Dario Franchitti behind the wheel, the No. 40 has scored three finishes of 11th or better this season. The best showing of the season was sixth at Las Vegas in March. With Franchitti sitting out of the non-companion events, it was the perfect time for Pruett to climb back in. He will also drive for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates at Montreal and Watkins Glen.

Parrott, 40, has a lot of respect for Pruett. Parrott was 15 when he first met the driver at a go-kart event at Lowe's Motor Speedway, and became his crew chief 17 years later at Cal Wells' PPI Motorsports. The pair worked together last season at Montreal and Watkins Glen, but Parrott is looking for Pruett to receive redemption in Mexico City.

"We likely won't have a team meeting before this race, since it didn't do any good last year," Parrott said. "We'll likely get together with (teammate) Kyle (Krisiloff) sometime before the race. He finished sixth at Montreal last year and we tested at VIR (Virginia International Raceway) at the beginning of March, so I'm expecting solid results from him as well."

Parrott feels several factors will affect the race. This is the latest in the season that the NNS has raced in Mexico City and the temperatures will be considerably warmer. Also, NASCAR has decreased the size of the fuel cells this year from 22 to 19 gallons, so there will be more emphasis on fuel mileage and pit stops.

Parrott expects to spend much of practice this weekend on fuel runs since the race will likely fall on fuel strategy. The No. 40 Dodge will also sport a mixed crew of both Sprint Cup and Nationwide pit performers. Cup regulars include jackman Tony Cardamone and tire changers Evan Clark and Chuck Efaw.

For the Nationwide regulars, pulling out the stops is a necessity when competing against the Cup interlopers.

"It's tough in the Nationwide Series," Parrott said. "We're still behind the Cup deal, but Nationwide has done a great job of stepping up its support this season. With Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Patrick Carpentier racing in our series, it's hard for us guys to get noticed because they always talk about the guys running up front.

"We have a chance to do that with Bryan Clausson. He's going to be with us for a long time. We'll develop him and move on to the next 18-year-old. But the best way to combat that is by winning."

Get your pasta groove on

What were the owners of Carino's Italian Grill thinking? If driver Brad Coleman can win the Mexico City race this weekend, the restaurant will provide free pasta for fans on Monday.

Coleman, 20, who pilots the No. 27 Baker Curb Racing Ford, was running as high as eighth last season before his transmission broke on the road course in Mexico City. When Coleman's equipment held up at Montreal and Watkins Glen, the Houston teenager finished eighth and fifth, respectively.

"When Carino's told me they were going to offer free pasta to everyone if I won the Mexico City race, I told them they better start boiling the pots," Coleman said. "I feel like the No. 27 Carino's Italian Grill team will be up to the test and I am really looking forward to being back on track at Mexico City and picking up where I left off. All everyone needs to do is pick their favorite sauce and pull for the No. 27

"Trust me, I'll do whatever it takes to get the fans their free pasta."