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JELD-WEN Race Preview
Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

23 July 2009

’Marcos Ambrose - Standing Out’ To Screen on One This Sunday

Australian NASCAR ace Marcos Ambrose will be featured in a special documentary on ONE at 8:30pm this Sunday in Australia.

‘Marcos Ambrose - Standing Out’ is a 30-minute insight into the world of the former two-time Australian V8 Supercar Champion turned NASCAR contender, narrated by Greg Rust but with much of the story told by Ambrose himself.

The documentary touches on Ambrose’s early days growing up racing karts and then Formula Ford in Australia, his foray in European open-wheel racing, his rise and success in V8 Supercars in the first half of this decade and his subsequent transition to NASCAR, progressing up the ranks all the way to top-level Sprint Cup competition.

Both of Marcos’ team owners this decade – Ross Stone of Stone Brothers Racing in V8 Supercars and Tad Geschicker of JTG Daugherty Racing in NASCAR – are interviewed as part of the documentary.

‘Marcos Ambrose – Standing Out’ kicks of a big night of motorsport on ONE, with the documentary followed by live coverage of the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, MotoGP race from Great Britain and then early the next morning, live coverage of the Allstate 400 from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Brickyard Where It All Began for Ambrose and JTG Daugherty Racing in Sprint Cup

One year ago, Marcos Ambrose attempted to qualify Brad Daugherty, Tad and Jodi Geschickter’s JTG Daugherty Racing team for its first ever Sprint Cup event at one of the world’s most prestigious sporting venues.

Remarkably, Ambrose qualified a car built by JTG Daugherty Racing under the guidance of crew chief Frank Kerr in 24th position for the Allstate 400, going on to finish 22nd in only his second Sprint Cup start and his first on an oval.

One year later, Ambrose and Kerr return to the Brickyard 18th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings and JTG Daugherty Racing is progressing nicely as part of a technical alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing.

What Marcos Had to Say

“Indianapolis is special and I remember growing up watching the Indy 500 in Tasmania wishing I was there,” said Ambrose.

“It’s just a big thrill to be able to race the Little Debbie Toyota at the Brickyard because there’s so much racing history.

“A.J. (Foyt) was a little before my time, but I really liked watching Rick Mears, who drove for Roger Penske.

“Danny Sullivan was another standout and I remember his 1985 win. He spun 360 degrees down the south short chute between one and two after passing Mario Andretti for the lead. He recovered from that to come back and win the race.

“We've had some great runs this year. I always said that if I didn’t make it, I’ll just pack up and go home and last year's Allstate 400 was a really important race for me. There was a lot riding on that race. We qualified decent and fortunately it was a breakout race.”

And a Word from #47 Crew Chief Frank Kerr

“To be honest I do get goose bumps every time I go there,” said Kerr who grew up racing open-wheel cars, winning 250 races in divisions such as, USAC, World of Outlaws and All Star (four-time All Star Champion).

“It’s just the coolest place in the world and the most historic venue we go to on the circuit. It doesn’t matter how many times you walk into that facility, you are still in awe. Then there is the ‘Yard of Bricks’ at the start-finish line serving as a tribute to the 2.5-mile oval - the only ones left exposed from the original Indianapolis Motor Speedway racing surface.”

“I’ve been through the museum a hundred times too. Once I was able to take a special tour of the basement and that was really something. It has a lot of old cars like Indy cars, roadsters and much more. There’s stuff down there that has never been on display. To think those guys ran around there at 150 miles per hour or better with them old cars with six inch tyres on them is pretty amazing.”

“My first race there was with Robby Gordon and it was an unbelievable feeling to be standing on pit road with all the fans in the stands surrounding you. Then I went back there with Marcos last year and I was still mesmerized. It's a place we really want to excel at this weekend.

“We had a good showing there (last year) and we really didn’t have anything. We’ve been running well this season and we have some expectations going into this weekend. We’re bringing the same car we almost had a top-five with at Pocono. Pocono’s turns 2 and 3 are a lot like Indy and Marcos excelled there. We feel like we can have a good run.”

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More Information

Driver Profile

www.marcosambrose.com

Follow Marcos Ambrose on Twitter at twitter.com/MarcosAmbrose

 

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