This is something I've always wondered about - it's never been a big issue, but SONAR treats each set of two inputs on my 8-input interface as a stereo set (L/R). Is there any way to have SONAR treat each input as a single, mono input? SO that I can select input 1, 2, 6, 5, WHATEVER, without having to choose the "L" or "R" channel of "Stereo Input 1 & 2", "Stereo Input 5 & 6", etc.?
 
Would likely streamline my process just a bit.

I have built a series of mono track templates for that specific reason.  For example, my four mono 'Retro Channel' inputs from my ASP800 preamp are known end-to-end as Red/Grn/Blu/Yel.
 
You should set up each track armed for recording as you like with the selected input, and 'Save as Track Template'.  Then, in subsequent sessions, when you 'Insert from Track Template' the choice of what you want is right there with a name that makes sense for your environment.