Asian Motor Sports

Team Australia’s Marcos Ambrose has qualified 19th for tomorrow’s ninth round of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas.

Ambrose clocked a time of 30.086 seconds in his Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards Ford F-150 around the 1.5-mile (2.4km) circuit at an average speed of 179.485mph (287.176kph).

Defending pole sitter Mike Skinner broke his own qualifying record to again take pole for tomorrow’s race.

Skinner set a time of 29.475 seconds at an average speed of 183.206mph (293.1296kph). Terry Cook clocked a time of 29.512 seconds, while Kraig Kinser was third with a 29.522-second lap.

Ambrose, who won two V8 Supercar Championships for Ford in Australia, again has moderate goals for tomorrow’s race.

“We’re really pleased,” said Ambrose.

“We’re just trying to turn laps right now. We’re in a hole with three wrecks in three races, and we want to ride through the next couple here and get as much experience as we can and stay out of trouble again if we can.”

“Dover felt pretty quick, but this place is really a challenge, too.

“I’ve been a little bit limited on laps here and I haven’t quite done enough laps in practice.

“We’re really excited about the race and the future. I’ve got a great team and a great opportunity, and I’m having a blast.”

Team Australia concept creator, Craig Gore, said that whole of Australia was behind Ambrose’s efforts.

“The interest in our program seems to grow by the day and Marcos is doing a great job as an ambassador for Team Australia and his country,” said Gore.

“His efforts to qualify 19th in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck field should never be underestimated. He is doing a terrific job.”

TIPS FOR AUSTRALIAN FANS

There are several websites relating to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series where you can follow Ambrose’s progress.

The best three we have discovered so far are the official NASCAR.com site, truckseries.com and woodbrothersracing.com

You can register for Track Pass on the NASCAR site which will give you access to radio broadcasts, in-car audio and video of most races for a fee, but you will need a US credit card (so ring a mate!)

You can get a free radio broadcast of the races on truckseries.com by going to the trackside area of the site.

2006 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS – After round 8
* Marcos Ambrose did not compete in the first three rounds of the championship.

1: Todd Bodine 1305; 2 Ted Musgrave 1229; 3 David Reutimann 1194; 4: Johnny Benson 1098; 5: David Starr 1078; 6: Jack Sprague 1073; 7: Mike Bliss 1053; 8: Mark Martin 1034; 9: Matt Crafton 1028; 10: Dennis Setzer 1025; 34th: Marcos Ambrose 359.

THIS WEEKEND’S RACE SCHEDULE

TEXAS TIMES

Friday, June 9, 2006
8pm – Race (167 laps, 200.5 miles – 320.8kms)

AUSTRALIAN TIMES (EST)

Friday, June 9, 2006
2am-3am – Practice
3.15am-3.45am – Rookie practice
4am-5am – Final practice
9am – Qualifying (2 Laps)

Saturday, June 10, 2006
11am - Race (167 laps, 200.5 miles – 320.8kms)

CRAFTSMAN TRUCK RECORD BOOK

Race record – Dennis Setzer (2004) – 148.959mph average (238.3344kph)
Qualifying record – Mike Skinner (2005) – 29.524 seconds 182.902mph (292.6432kph)
Defending Champion June 9, 2005 – Jack Sprague
Defending pole sitter June 9, 2005 – Mike Skinner
Defending Champion November 3 – Todd Bodine
Defending pole sitter November 3 – Mike Skinner

TRACK FACTS

Location: Texas Motor Speedway is located in Fort Forth, Texas

Race Distance: 167 laps, 250.5 miles (400.8km)

Length: 1.5-mile (2.4km)
Degree of banking: 24-33 degrees
Degree of banking in Straights: 6 degrees