Asian Motor Sports

Team Australia’s Marcos Ambrose has made a fast start to this weekend’s Sharpie Mini 300 by recording top ten times in practice at Bristol Motor Speedway today.

Ambrose topped rookie practice in the Aussie Vineyards-backed #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion and was tenth fastest in opening practice at the 0.533 miles (0.858km) Bristol venue, before rounding out a solid day with the 27th fastest time in final practice.

The Australian was pleased with the performance of his Ford Fusion right from the outset of today’s proceedings, only 0.163 seconds in opening practice.

Ambrose will qualify tomorrow morning in Bristol with the 300-lap Sharpie Mini 300 later that afternoon.

Marcos Ambrose – Aussie Vineyards-backed #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion

“We are really happy with how things went today,” said Ambrose. “We’ve rolled out a really great car here at Bristol this weekend.

“It’s always a good feeling to get a car that is very good right from the moment you bring it out of the truck. “We are only about two tenths off the fastest time so we are looking at keeping that up for tomorrow.

“Around Bristol you really drive as hard as you dare. The speeds here are so high for a short track. I’m still getting used to it and getting comfortable with it so we are pleased to be where we are today.

“We are very close to the leading guys, so with a little bit of time out of the car and a little bit more out of me we should be looking pretty good tomorrow.

“The Kingsford car was fast and consistent today, so it’s looking good for qualifying and it’s a strong race package as well.”

Practice 1 Results:
1. #23 Brad Keselowski 15.667
2. #5 Kyle Busch 15.674
3. #88 Shane Huffman 15.697
4. #60 Carl Edwards 15.705
5. #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr 15.738
6. #12 Ryan Newman 15.772
7. #17 Matt Kenseth 15.784
8. #42 Juan Pablo Montoya 15.798
9. #2 Clint Bowyer 15.830
10. #59 Marcos Ambrose 15.830

Rookie Practice Results:
1. #59 Marcos Ambrose 15.828
2. #25 David Gilliland 15.851
3. #6 David Ragan 15.892
4. #23 Brad Keselowski 15.910
5. #42 Juan Pablo Montoya 15.938
6. #14 Kyle Krisiloff 16.095
7. #21 Timothy Peters 16.244
8. #75 Caleb Holman 16.272

Final Practice Results:
1. #37 Greg Biffle 15.319
2. #12 Ryan Newman 15.322
3. #22 Mike Bliss 15.334
4. #38 Jason Leffler 15.361
5. #17 Matt Kenseth 15.372
6. #2 Clint Bowyer 15.376
7. #25 David Gilliland 15.395
8. #5 Kyle Busch 15.412
9. #60 Carl Edwards 15.415
10. #9 Kasey Kahne 15.417
27. #59 Marcos Ambrose 15.612

NASCAR Busch Series Points Standings – After Race 5
1. Carl Edwards 810
2. Kevin Harvick 666
3. Dave Blaney 641
4. Kyle Busch 587
5. Denny Hamlin 582
6. Tony Stewart 576
7. Marcos Ambrose 563
8. Mike Wallace 547
9. Jeff Burton 531
10. Juan Pablo Montoya 529