Engine Drama Puts Ambrose Out Early in Daytona 500

15 February 2010

Marcos Ambrose has been robbed of any chance of a top finish at the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Florida today.

Ambrose started from 18th position aboard his #47 Kroger entry from JTG Daugherty Racing, beginning his second full season at the top level of NASCAR, the Sprint Cup Series.

The opening stages were encouraging for the Australian, who was running a solid pace in the lead bunch around the 2.5-mile superspeedway and was as high as 12th place.

But just as the race began to reach its halfway point, Ambrose reported engine problems, with smoke coming from his engine bay.

On closer inspection in the pit garage, his car was leaking oil and was forced to retire with engine issues.

“We got an oil leak that was terminal,” said Ambrose.

“It’s just too bad for us. We were running great just riding around just biding our time just waiting for all to settle down.

“It just hurts the year when you don’t get off to a good start. The whole off-season was all about let’s just get off to a solid start and build a solid championship run from that but it’s not going to be.

“I’m really disappointed, not just for the race but for the whole year. We’re going to take a big hit with points and it’s going to take some digging out.”

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

Melissa Arbuthnot
melissa.arbuthnot@communecom.com.au

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

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

Engine Drama Puts Ambrose Out Early in Daytona 500

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