Ambrose Qualifies Fifth but Engine Failure Ends Day in Nashville

Federated Auto Parts 300, Nashville Superspeedway, Tennessee

10 June 2007

Marcos Ambrose has had another strong NASCAR Busch Series result slip through his fingers after qualifying fifth but retiring with engine failure in the Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway in Tennessee today.

Ambrose recorded his fifth top ten qualifying performance for the season earlier in the day in the #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion but after the engine failure was classified in 36th position.

The Australian rose to fourth in the early stages of the race but soon began to drop back with a right-rear tyre problem, forcing Ambrose to battle on with the ailment until his first stop.

Ambrose was eventually able to pit for new tyres and after the first series of stops was completed on after a caution period on lap 72, Ambrose was the last car on the lead lap and in 16th place.

Finally in a position to regain lost ground, Ambrose’s charge was short lived when he suffered an engine failure on lap 110. Ambrose was praised for wrestling his stricken car off the racing line and straight to a fire marshall’s post where the spectacular fire was quickly extinguished.

Ambrose now drops to 11th in the NASCAR Busch Series standings and sits second in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings behind fellow Ford driver David Ragan.

Series leader and Ford driver Carl Edwards won today’s Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway ahead of Clint Bowyer and Jason Leffler

Marcos Ambrose – #59 Kingsford Charcoal/Dollar General Ford Fusion

"We had the chance to ’throw a shrimp on the barbie’," joked Ambrose after getting out of his burning car.

"The only thing missing was some quality Kingsford Charcoal, a couple of Bubba Burgers and a nice bottle of Aussie Vineyards wine.

"I guess the only thing we can do is make a bit of fun at the situation, because it is extremely disappointing.

"I was just trying to make sure I stayed off my own oil and then it caught on fire. The cockpit wasn’t too bad, but there were plenty of flames in the engine bay which the fire marshals reacted to quickly.

"If they had not had been right on the job the car could have suffered a lot more damage and we have to thank them for their professionalism.”

All media requests for interviews, press releases, information, or images to be directed to:

Melissa Arbuthnot
melissa.arbuthnot@communecom.com.au

Janina Czado
janina@communecom.com.au

CommunEcom Strategic Communications
P.O. Box 689
Balgowlah NSW 2093

Ph: +61 2 9949 9788
Fax: +61 2 9949 9688

Ambrose Qualifies Fifth but Engine Failure Ends Day in Nashville

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