tom_jensen's avatar
Author:
Tom Jensen
Login For More
Rate this article:
  • 0/5 Stars
SPEEDtv.com Store
DVD: David Jefferies Story
The David Jefferies Story is a reminder of the much loved and much missed Yorkshireman.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Man-Made Thunder
The book examines the sport of stock car racing through the eyes and ears of the men behind the wheel and the wrenches.
Our Price: $49.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Unisex Sandwich Cap
Unisex Velcro back hat with SPEED logo on front. PINKS logo embroidered on left and PAO logo on right. One size fits all.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Speedway T-shirt
Men's 6 oz. 100% Cotton Jersey Short Sleeve Tee. SPEED logo imprinted on the front center chest.
Our Price: $24.99
Visit Button
Buy Button
Ferrari Red Classic Hat
100% cotton twill. Ferrari shield embroidered on front, piping on the peak and Ferrari logo embroidered on back strap adjuster.
Our Price: $30.00 ($27.00 Member)
Visit Button
Buy Button
Footer Bg
  • Zoom More Photos Button
  • Camera Icon
CUP: Ambrose Makes Strong Impression
Written by: Tom Jensen   
11/06/2009
Fort Worth, TX
 
Marcos Ambrose is currently in 18th position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points race. (Photo: LAT Photographic) ยป More Photos

Marcos Ambrose isn’t the kind of guy who’s loud, flashy or prone to drawing a lot of attention to himself. Instead, the two-time Australian V-8 Supercar Series champion lets his driving do his talking. And so far this season, Ambrose’s driving has been very impressive.

In his first full season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Ambrose has been efficient and workmanlike, progressing to 18th in points with three races to go.

Technically, Ambrose is not a rookie — he made 11 Sprint Cup starts in 2008 — but this is his first full season in NASCAR’s top division. No rookie or first-year driver has had a better season in terms of points, nor is any first-year team higher in the owner points standings than Ambrose’s JTG-Daugherty Racing squad, which operates out of the Michael Waltrip Racing stables in Cornelius, N.C.

And although he doesn’t talk a lot, Ambrose has accomplished a lot this season, scoring top-five finishes this season on road courses (Watkins Glen International and Infineon Raceway), as well as at a short-track (Bristol Motor Speedway) and a restrictor-plate track (Daytona International Speedway).

Add it all up, and it’s a strong first-year effort, even if it has been somewhat under the radar.

“It is an amazing story and I think Tad and Jodi Geschickter (team co-owners) are probably the ones I have to thank for the most because
they gave me the time to grow into the sport,” said Ambrose Friday at Texas Motor Speedway. “You see guys that come in too hot, too heavy, too hard, too early at the top level and they just don’t make it. You’ve got to grow into the sport and I think being given the chance is something that you can’t forget and I think it’s the major ingredient to this being successful, me sitting in here today talking about 2010 in the Cup Series is primarily because of that – I was given time to grow.”

Despite his success in Australia, Ambrose knew coming to America was a challenge. And as a first-year driver with a first-year team, Ambrose didn’t really know exactly what to expect when 2009 began.

“The first half of the season was a blur,” said Ambrose. “I was really worried about just keeping my job, just worried about making the top-35 in points. We got through the summer and we’re top-20 in points and came close to winning a couple races and all of a sudden maybe it’s going to work out for me. From that point on, I’ve been a little frustrated because I guess I’ve become a little greedy because I want to run top-10 every week.”

And Ambrose is already looking forward to 2010. Friday morning at Texas Motor Speedway, the team announced that sponsor Little Debbie will return next season, meaning the car is fully funded.


Page 1 of 2
Next Page »
1 2 >
View All Comments