Asian Motor Sports

Marcos Ambrose has survived a turbulent race to make a late charge up the order and take 15th in the Casino Arizona 150 at the Phoenix International Raceway in Arizona today.

The result made Ambrose the second highest finishing rookie in today’s NASCAR Craftsman Trick Series race, keeping the Team Australia ace on track for second in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year title with one race remaining next weekend in Miami.

Ambrose qualified the #20 Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards Ford F-150 in an outstanding seventh position, the highest Ford and highest rookie in the field.

Ambrose ran in sixth position in the early stages before making his first pit stop under caution on lap 34. Ambrose was delayed from leaving his pit stop when blocked in by Kyle Busch’s truck, dropping the Australian to 13th.

Ambrose was then hit with a drive though penalty for having one too many crew members over the wall at the pit stop, sending him to the rear and in danger of losing a lap. Ambrose was able to pass a few trucks, but with the leaders on a charge he eventually went a lap down.

On lap 114 Ambrose drove back onto the lead lap as a result of receiving the ‘lucky dog’ when the caution flag came out for Cameron Dodson, allowing the two-time Australian V8 Supercar Champion a run at improving his position over the final stages.

Ambrose took full advantage of the opportunity, racing up the order, at one stage passing four trucks in one move as some drivers tangled on the back straight.

The Team Australia driver eventually progressed to 15th in the 35-truck field, salvaging a very respectable result from a difficult situation.

Polesitter Johnny Benson won today’s Casino Arizona 150 ahead of Mark Martin and Mike Skinner.

WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY …

Marcos Ambrose – #20 Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards Ford F-150

“We salvaged something out of nothing here today,” said Ambrose. “Everything was going great at the start. We were running sixth there with a really good truck and we were feeling good.

“We got a penalty after out pit stop and that set us back. We had someone stop a tyre from rolling into someone else’s truck, they were trying to do the right thing but it was just one of those deals that sometimes happens.

“After the penalty we got by some trucks but the leaders were really on a charge and eventually they got by and we were stuck a lap down.

“We got the lap back and really started to get some pace and got right back up there. It was a pretty good result out of what could have been pretty bad.

“Once we were back on the lead lap and on similar condition tyres to the leaders we had really good pace. It’s as good as we could have hoped for after what happened and it’s a pretty solid result.”

“The team gave me a great truck here and it was definitely a top 10 truck. We showed we had the pace and can take some confidence into the last race at Homestead.”

Craig Gore – Team Australia

”Marcos did a great job today and was unlucky not to come away with a better result,” said Gore.

“He was unlucky there in the pit stop but he and the team showed that they never give up. Not only did they get back on the lead lap, Marcos was passing trucks right to the end to get what is still a good, solid finish.

“Marcos is a big chance for a very good result in the final race of the year in Miami. He has achieved a huge amount for the Team Australia program and Aussie Vineyards brand this year and we could be about to see his best finish yet.”

2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Points – After Race 24 – Marcos Ambrose did not compete in the first three rounds of the championship.

1. Todd Bodine 3566, 2. Johnny Benson 3454, 3. David Reutimann 3383, 4. Ted Musgrave 3250, 5. David Starr 3209, 6. Ron Hornaday Jr 3192, 7. Jack Sprague 3173, 8. Mike Skinner 3156, 9. Rick Crawford 3134, 10. Terry Cook 3126, 19. Marcos Ambrose 2146.

2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Raybestos Rookie of the Year Contenders – Race 24

1. (10th) Erik Darnell
2. (15th) Marcos Ambrose
3. (16th) Erin Crocker
4. (18th) Bobby East
5. (22nd) Aric Almirola
6. (24th) Kraig Kinser
7. (27th) Kerry Earnhardt
8. (29th) Chad McCumbee
9. (34th) Robert Richardson