Marcos Ambrose is looking towards an exciting 2009 season in the top division of NASCAR after a tough day in the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida today.
Ambrose was looking to secure the #47 entry (formerly #00) of Michael Waltrip Racing in the top 35 in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner’s points in today’s race, a feat that would have guaranteed that entry in the first five races of next season.
However, it was a tough day for Ambrose, who was clipped by Reed Sorenson and sent into the wall on lap 168, just as the pace of his #47 Little Debbie Toyota Camry was beginning to improve as the sun went down and track conditions cooled.
The damage forced the Australian into the garage for lengthy repairs, resulting in Ambrose finishing in 42nd position, some 45 laps down.
The misfortune meant that Ambrose missed 35th in owner’s points by a mere 13 points, the equivalent of five race positions, or three positions with five bonus points for leading a lap. Brian Vickers finished in 32nd position, lifting the #84 entry of Red Bull Racing back into the top 35 in owner’s points.
Ambrose started 11 Sprint Cup events in 2008, with a best result of third on the Watkins Glen road course after started from the rear, with 18th place in Phoenix last weekend his best finish on an oval.
Next season Ambrose will run the full Sprint Cup schedule in the #47 Toyota Camry of JTG Daugherty Racing, who have entered into a technical alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing from next season, with primary race sponsorship shared among Little Debbie, Kingsford, Clorox and Bush’s Beans.
Carl Edwards won today’s Ford 400 ahead of Kevin Harvick and Jamie McMurray, while Jimmie Johnson clinched his third-consecutive Sprint Cup crown.
QUOTES - MARCOS AMBROSE
“It was just a bad day and what happened was unfortunate and unnecessary,” said Ambrose.
“Next season is looking really good for us. We’ve shown good pace and learned a lot from these last few races of the year and I feel like it’s given us a head start for 2009.
“We’ve missed the top 35 in owner’s points at the moment, but there is a lot going on in the Sprint Cup garage at the moment, so we’ll have to see what it all looks like when Daytona is closer.
“It’s just a shame that we ended a great season with a tough weekend. It was just a long day but I’m still very excited about next year.”
RESULTS: Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Race 36 in the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
1. #99 Carl Edwards 267 laps
2. #29 Kevin Harvick
3. #26 Jamie McMurray
4. #24 Jeff Gordon
5. #07 Clint Bowyer
6. #9 Kasey Kahne
7. #28 Travis Kvapil
8. #5 Casey Mears
9. #20 Tony Stewart
10. #1 Martin Truex Jr
26. #7 Robby Gordon
32. #84 Brian Vickers
42. #47 Marcos Ambrose 222 laps
2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver’s Points – Final Standings after Race 36
1. Jimmie Johnson 6684
2. Carl Edwards 6615
3. Greg Biffle 6467
4. Kevin Harvick 6408
5. Clint Bowyer 6381
6. Jeff Burton 6335
7. Jeff Gordon 6316
8. Denny Hamlin 6214
9. Tony Stewart 6202
10. Kyle Busch 6186
45. Marcos Ambrose 844 (11 races)
2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Owner’s Points – Final Standings Race 36
31. #66 Haas CNC Racing 2886
32. #22 Bill Davis Racing 2882
33. #41 Chip Ganassi Racing 2844
34. #7 Robby Gordon Motorsports 2770
35. #84 Red Bull Racing 2705
36. #47 Michael Waltrip Racing 2692
37. #10 Gillett Evernham Motorsports 2625
38. #77 Penske Racing 2554
39. #96 Hall of Fame Racing 2337
40. #45 Petty Enterprises 2253
2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Prizemoney after 11 races:
Marcos Ambrose: US$1,112,281
2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Standings – Final Standings after Race 35
1. Clint Bowyer 5132
2. Carl Edwards 5111
3. Brad Keselowski 4794
4. David Ragan 4525
5. Mike Bliss 4518
6. Kyle Busch 4461
7. David Reutimann 4388
8. Mike Wallace 4128
9. Jason Leffler 4086
10. Marcos Ambrose 3991
2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Prizemoney after 35 races:
Marcos Ambrose: US$1,081,640