That's usually how everything starts doesn't it? Dale Jr to HMS...Gibbs to use Toyotas...the old rumourmill has seen its fair share of stuff this year. Now there's another, and one with an international flavour;
Marcos Ambrose might be graduating to the Cup series in 2008.
Now, ordinarily, I don't bother clicking the 'NASCAR rumour' part on the main page of this site since I tend to prefer reading blogs instead (we get away with showing a bit more passion than proper writers after all)...but the headline in Ben Maller's section "Ford helping Ambrose prep for Cup" was a bit too intriguing for me to ignore.
Last week there was a similar article which didn't actually go anywhere so I thought it might have been the same this time...I was wrong. The Herald Sun say that "Marcos Ambrose will graduate to the multi-million-dollar NASCAR Nextel Cup racing next year" due to his strong position in the Busch standings (rookie season remember...made to look even better when you consider this is only his second year racing on ovals).
Call me a sadist, pessimist, whatever, but I don't think this will work. I'm the type of person who likes seeing someone earn their way into the elite...and yes, Marcos has worked his way from V8's here to Cup over there through the Truck and Busch series...but he's still inexperienced on ovals. Ok, so he's already over 30 years old (which is reasonably old to be considered a rookie I guess), but the fact is he's pretty much still a novice on the ovals...he'll be fine when they go to Infineon and Watkins Glen so I don't have any worries about those.
I am very much torn on this; I want it to be nothing more than a rumour and he stays in the Busch series for next year...but I would also love for it to be true.
We'll have to wait and see I guess...but most things do start with a rumour.
Have no fear. Marcos will be fine in CUP. Road racing takes quite a bit more skill to drive. Ovals is turn left then turn left again at the end of the straight away. Usually not much down shifting on ovals, just pedal to the metal with a little braking in the corners.
Quite simple to get the hang of it. He might have some difficulty in the bump and run category but he will have the hang of that after a couple are given to him. Best he follow Montoya for a couple races to learn how to give them out then he will be fine.
Lets hope he can get some good equipment to charge to the front.
I thought it was pretty much a done deal that he would run a partial sked in Cup and the Busch Series again. If he's not getting into a top-35 car he'd be best not to put all of his eggs in one basket (or Cup, as the case may be).
Like Photo said, They are most often better on the just turn left, Yeah maybe some nail bitting at Daytona, atlanta etc, heck even the pros screw that up.
Now is the time to get into cup with the COT full season, most teams will take next year as a learning curve anyway. Hey ! If he recks a few times he can come race on G.G.W Racing team.
Tez - It is intriguing. But JJD is right about a partial Busch/Cup schedule probably being the best option and that a top 35 team is a must, or he'll be sitting out a lot.
The other issue is that to maintain rookie status, you can only driver 6 Cup races in a season. More than that, & a partial schedule will make you ineligible for Rookie of the Year. I'd hope he'll consider that. So many drivers aren't eligible when they finally get the chance to run a full season.
He's got 4 top ten's in 26 Busch races. Bumping him up a level isn't a stretch (on paper anyway).
His challenge is that in Wood Brothers equipment he's got a pretty limited top end.
Once again, I'll object to the assertion that the jump from road racing to oval racing is easy. Everybody who has done it that I've seen talk about it has always expressed the feeling that it was much more difficult than they expected.
I agree ccr....that gets right up my nose on boards when people say it's easy since they just turn left. I alwasy say that if it's so easy then they should do it, lol
Getting the car to go 180mph is easy enough....but it's that extra 1mph that makes the difference. Also, being able to draft is a must, and that's something Marcos never had to do in the V8's. One would presume that Watkins Glen will be on the list if both series go there again....maybe also try a couple 1.5 mile tracks since they seem to be his favourite *shrugs*
I don't question his talent behiond the wheel...I just don't want him to jump in too early, lol
CCR I'll object that the transition from road racing to ovals is easy.
I've done both (roundys and roadies).Each one is unique and requires a different mind set attacking the track.
I personally found road tracks to be more difficult to manuver consistently. On the other hand, the short track ovals seemed to fit my racing style better thus my evaluation. Did enjoy the bumping and ####ing more.
Tez - If hes got it in his blood, that extra 1 MPH will hit that and more. If not, It wasn't ment to be. Dont for get they cant tell how fast they are going till someone tells them. lol
The open wheel dirt boys had tobe tamed down from how they use to run wide open, He will have tobe tame up. I think its easyer to teach a driver to go faster, then make him go slower/ controled, If you get what I mean.
Any team that signs him will exspect a few bumps here and there till he craspes the hole thing in.
I think he will do fine.
lol, cheers Marty....I think....getting the game ball is good right? :P
yeah I hear what you're saying Forensic....I just don't want him to rush into this and go "OMG, someone's giving me a Cup ride!" and it turns out to be a junk seat, he deserves better than that
Tez is a rare creature; an Australian who was living in New Zealand before moving to Canada. He's also a Civil Engineer who is hoping to spend his Monday to Friday sitting in front of a computer surfing the inter...uh, working hard for an Engineering Consultant or Contractor when he finds a job. His heart is torn between his two loves; F1 and NASCAR.
Due to his high interest in those, his blogs will likely focus on them with the occasional foray into sports that don't get much (if any) mention on this website. All blogs and/or comments will more than likely have his usual dollop of sarcasm and general Aussie spin on them.
Amazingly, he also managed to score 2 MiB nominations on consecutive days (August 5 & 6, 2007) after announcing he had been keeping track of them...he's considering hiding under his bed as a result.
