Ambrose Gets Personal Best With Third in Sonoma Qualifying

20 June 2009

Marcos Ambrose has scored his best Sprint Cup Series starting position with third fastest in qualifying for the Toyota/SaveMart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California today.

Earlier in the day Ambrose was fastest in first practice at the 1.99-mile road course, the site of Ambrose top-level NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut last season.

Two further practice sessions will be held tomorrow, before the 110-lap race is stage on Sunday (Monday morning Australian time).

Brian Vickers won pole position at Infineon Raceway today ahead of defending race winner Kyle Busch and Ambrose.

What Marcos Had to Say

QUESTION: How good does this feel?

"I think I left too much on the table,” said Ambrose.

“I just got a little anxious, just took a couple of curves a bit too strong and just didn't get the clean exits like I needed to.

“You know, I'm so proud of my guys. We've had a great year so far. We're looking to really cement ourselves here in this championship as a main player. We're getting towards it every single week, I get better and better. I'm just really proud for my team to give them this back.

“Kingsford and Clorox has its head office out here in Oakland, California and we have a hundred guests coming out on Sunday so at least I'll start in the front half of the field for them to get the race started.”

QUESTION: How jacked up are you for Sunday?

“I'm trying to keep a lid on it to be honest with you. It's very easy to get too anxious because your expectations are high, so for me, I expect the worse and when anything goes better than that it's marvelous.

“So I'm just going to go into Sunday very relaxed. Try to put together some laps. I broke a gearbox for the Wood Brothers last year, which I still have nightmares about. I want to make sure I look after the car for the first half of the race and bring it home.”

QUESTION: How do you think the double file restarts will be here on Sunday?

“It's going to spice it up, there's no doubt about that. I think there's going to be a clear outside groove that is going to be more traction off the line. I think it's going to make it very interesting going into the first corner.

“I'm sure as the race goes on there are going to be a few cautions as the restarts are coming everyone will start to jostle for position late in the race.

“That being said, I've had a lot of races where we do start two-by-two. You can do it, but it's going to be entertaining for the fans.

“I'm sure guys are going to have an advantage on the inside. We'll see how it all plays out. I think we are always waiting to see how it looks and feels before we make any strong comments on it.”

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Melissa Arbuthnot
melissa.arbuthnot@communecom.com.au

Janina Czado
janina@communecom.com.au

CommunEcom Strategic Communications
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Balgowlah NSW 2093

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Ambrose Gets Personal Best With Third in Sonoma Qualifying

What Marcos Had to Say

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