Marcos Ambrose has experienced a unique qualifying day for the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida today.

Ambrose is making his 11th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start this weekend – and the first where he is locked into the field with a guaranteed start due to owner’s points.

As a result, Ambrose used the opening day of proceedings at the 1.5-mile speedway to get a comfortable race set-up for the #47 Little Debbie Toyota Camry of Michael Waltrip Racing, free of the stress of working on a fast qualifying set-up to ensure he qualified for the race.

Ambrose will start the Ford 400 from 41st position after qualifying today. Earlier in the day Ambrose was 42nd fastest in opening practice.

Ambrose had a similar approach in the NASCAR Nationwide Series today, driving the #59 Kingsford Tailgate Ford Fusion to 20th and 22nd fastest in the two practice sessions held for the Ford 300. Carl Edwards was fastest in both sessions.

Ambrose’s Michael Waltrip Racing team-mate David Reutimann won pole for the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway today, ahead of Scott Speed and defending race winner Matt Kenseth.

QUOTES - MARCOS AMBROSE

“It was a unique experience, being able to take a bit more of a measured approach on the Friday,” said Ambrose.

“Up until now, Friday has always been arguably the most stressful day for us. We dedicate all of our attention to getting the car right for that one fast lap you need to qualify, then you think about the race set-up when you know you’re in the show.

“Today we were able to look towards the race and for us qualifying is not really a big deal. It’s the race where we need to be strong to get those owner’s points.

“We have another two practice sessions tomorrow and I’m confident we can improve on what we’ve got today. David (Reutimann, MWR team-mate) did a great job to get the pole, so no doubt the speed is there. We’ll think about it all overnight.

“The Kingsford car in Nationwide is going along nicely but we’ve got more work to do there before qualifying and the race tomorrow. I really want to finish the season strongly to give that Ford Fusion a good send off after a great two seasons in the #59.”

RESULTS: Sprint Cup Qualifying

1. #44 David Reutimann 31.462

2. #83 Scott Speed 31.494

3. #17 Matt Kenseth 31.500

4. #99 Carl Edwards 31.502

5. #29 Kevin Harvick 31.571

6. #6 David Ragan 31.594

7. #26 Jamie McMurray 31.606

8. #18 Kyle Busch 31.629

9. #41 Reed Sorenson 31.648

10. #1 Martin Truex Jr 31.664

41. #47 Marcos Ambrose 32.232

RESULTS: Sprint Cup Practice 1

1. #42 Juan Pablo Montoya 31.527

2. #12 Ryan Newman 31.633

3. #2 Kurt Busch 31.634

4. #44 David Reutimann 31.687

5. #28 Travis Kvapil 31.700

6. #48 Jimmie Johnson 31.702

7. #99 Carl Edwards 31.717

8. #29 Kevin Harvick 31.773

9. #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr 31.812

10. #19 Elliott Sadler 31.812

42. #47 Marcos Ambrose 32.238

RESULTS: Nationwide Practice 1

1. #60 Carl Edwards 32.422

2. #29 Jeff Burton 32.582

3. #27 Jason Keller 32.585

4. #20 Joey Logano 32.663

5. #21 Scott Wimmer 32.701

6. #2 Clint Bowyer 32.713

7. #40 Bryan Clauson 32.832

8. #17 Jamie McMurray 32.860

9. #32 Denny Hamlin 32.867

10. #47 Kelly Bires 32.874

20. #59 Marcos Ambrose 33.070

RESULTS: Nationwide Final Practice

1. #60 Carl Edwards 31.936

2. #29 Jeff Burton 32.167

3. #20 Joey Logano 32.199

4. #6 David Ragan 32.250

5. #18 Kyle Busch 32.348

6. #5 Dale Earnhardt Jr 32.357

7. #32 Denny Hamlin 32.431

8. #2 Clint Bowyer 32.453

9. #33 Ryan Newman 32.460

10. #1 Mike Bliss 32.473

22. #59 Marcos Ambrose 32.811

2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Standings - After Race 34 of 35

1. Clint Bowyer 4977

2. Carl Edwards 4921

3. Brad Keselowski 4624

4. David Ragan 4428

5. Mike Bliss 4397

6. Kyle Busch 4281

7. David Reutimann 4264

8. Mike Wallace 4019

9. Jason Leffler 3926

10. Marcos Ambrose 3921

11. Jason Keller 3776

2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Prizemoney after 34 races:

Marcos Ambrose: US$1,055,367

2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Owner’s Points - After Race 34 of 36

31. #22 Bill Davis Racing 2785

32. #41 Chip Ganassi Racing 2774

33. #66 Haas CNC Racing 2765

34. #7 Robby Gordon Motorsports 2685

35. #47 Michael Waltrip Racing 2655

36. #84 Red Bull Racing 2638

37. #77 Penske Racing 2554

38. #10 Gillett Evernham Motorsports 2495

39. #96 Hall of Fame Racing 2337

40. #45 Petty Enterprises 2207

2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Prizemoney after 10 races:

Marcos Ambrose: US$1,050,211