NASCAR’s version of ‘follow the leader’ featuring NASCAR Preseason Thunder testing continues at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Jan. 30-31. Drivers and teams from the NASCAR Nationwide Series will descend on the track in the Nevada desert one day after the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series completes its two-day test session there.
As NASCAR’s premier series moves to California Speedway for its final round of NASCAR Preseason Thunder. Wednesday’s travel day affords double-duty drivers the opportunity to test their NASCAR Nationwide Series cars at Las Vegas. More than 40 drivers representing more than 30 NASCAR Nationwide Series teams are expected to participate. Double-duty drivers who continue to California will share their rides with teammates or substitute drivers so the preparation process can keep going for the seven 1.5-mile tracks on the 2008 series schedule.
The Las Vegas test will feature seven former series driver and owner champions and some drivers who did not take part in the NASCAR Preseason Thunder sessions at Daytona, including regulars Mike Bliss (No. 22 Supercuts/Family Dollar Dodge) and Bobby Hamilton Jr. (No. 25 Smithfield Foods Ford).
Marcos Ambrose has again shown his class by earning a second-consecutive top 10 finish in the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series in the Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Nevada. Ambrose was 10th in the #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion, finishing as the top rookie and the second-highest non-Nextel Cup driver. The next best rookie was Juan Pablo Montoya in 20th position, four laps down. The Australian maintains his fifth position in the NASCAR Busch Series points and his lead in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings. Ambrose also maintained an incredible feat for a rookie, having completed every lap of each of the four races held so far this season, the only rookie to do so.
Ambrose earned US$35,875 (A$45,964) for finishing 10th in today’s race, which carried a total prize pool of US$1,626,139 (A$2,068,090). The #59 Kingsford Charcoal crew also earned an accolade today, winning the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge Award for the best Busch Series pit crew. Ambrose also picked up his second Raybestos Rookie of the Race Award and the WIX Filters Lap Leader Award. Nextel Cup drivers in the Top 35 in Cup points are ineligible for Busch Series awards. Ambrose was one of 12 drivers to lead a lap in today’s race, making him the first Australian to lead a lap in NASCAR Busch Series competition and earning him five bonus points as a result of leading lap 159 during the pit stop sequence.
Marcos Ambrose – #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion
“It was a really long day out there and I couldn’t have asked for a better finish.
“This is a big day for me."
“It was a really tough race. The tyres were hard and the track was greasy. If you could run well in any groove you just had to run with it."
“I really have to thank Kingsford Charcoal and all of the team’s sponsors for this day. For them to put a rookie in their car and to support an Australian driver is a massive thing and I appreciate everything they have done for me so much."
“My team, friends and family have made a lot of sacrifices for me to get to this stage and it’s days like this one that make you appreciate everything and make it all worthwhile. It’s not just me out there – I have a lot of people to thank for this."
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