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Team Australia's Marcos Ambrose has finished an impressive equal fifth fastest and top rookie in final practice for the Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway in Arizona today.
The Australian set a time equal to that of Nextel Cup star Kyle Busch around the one-mile speedway to make it strong start for the aussie Vineyars-backed #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion in Phoenix.
Ambrose was the fastest non-Nextel Cup driver in practice. This weekend Ambrose is aiming to maintain his status as leading rookie in the NASCAR Busch Series, as well as his eighth position in the overall standings after eight races.
Earlier in the day Ambrose was 30th in opening practice and fifth fastest in Rookie Practice.
Ford drivers Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth were fastest in today’s final practice ahead of fellow Nextel Cup driver Clint Bowyer.
Marcos Ambrose – #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion
"We obviously got better as the day progressed," said Ambrose.
"I would be more than happy if we could be in a similar position after qualifying tomorrow.
"It took me a little while to adapt to the Phoenix track, but we are getting there.
"The idea is to keep the points ticking over and keep us in the top 10 of the championship."
Craig Gore – Owner Team Australia
"Another great start for Marcos in what is a big weekend for Team Australia," said Gore.
"The hard part comes tomorrow with qualifying and the race, but we could not have asked from much more today."
RESULTS: Final Practice
1. #60 Carl Edwards 27.604
2. #17 Matt Kenseth 27.656
3. #2 Clint Bowyer 27.709
4. #24 Casey Mears 27.712
5. #5 Kyle Busch 27.730
6. #59 Marcos Ambrose 27.730
7. #20 Denny Hamlin 27.761
8. #41 David Stremme 27.768
9. #32 Dave Blaney 27.769
10. #4 Regan Smith 27.795
RESULTS: Rookie Practice
1. #6 David Ragan 27.481
2. #21 Timothy Peters 27.669
3. #72 DJ Kennington 27.752
4. #99 David Reutimann 27.975
5. #59 Marcos Ambrose 28.160
6. #14 Kyle Krisiloff 28.338
7. #23 Brad Keselowski 28.345
8. #50 Brian Pannone 30.011
RESULTS: Practice 1
1. #60 Carl Edwards 27.327
2. #5 Kyle Busch 27.537
3. #2 Clint Bowyer 27.588
4. #99 David Reutimann! 27.636
5. #24 Casey Mears 27.646
6. #38 Jason Leffler 27.733
7. #6 David Ragan 27.735
8. #29 Jeffrey Burton 27.745
9. #32 Dave Blaney 27.746
10. #33 Tony Raines 27.771
30. #59 Marcos Ambrose 28.199
2007 NASCAR Busch Series Points Standings – After Race 8
1. Carl Edwards 1370
2. Dave Blaney 967
3. Kevin Harvick 938
4. Kyle Busch 913
5. David Reutimann 907
6. Matt Kenseth 873
7. Bobby Hamilton Jr 859
8. Marcos Ambrose 824
9. Mike Wallace 819
10. David Ragan 802
2007 NASCAR Busch Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year Standings – After Race 8
1. Marcos Ambrose 78
2. David Ragan 76
3. Juan Pablo Montoya 75
4. Kyle Krisiloff 64
5. Brad Keselowski 45
6. Brad Coleman 32
7. Sam Hornish Jr 32
8. Justin Diercks 27
9. Robert Richardson 16
10. Alex Garcia 7
Raybestos Rookie of the Race Award Tally
Marcos Ambrose 2
Juan Pablo Montoya 2
David Ragan 2
Timothy Peters 1
Brad Coleman 1
WIX Filters Lap Leader Award Tally
Mike Wallace 3
Jason Leffler 2
Marcos Ambrose 1
Juan Pablo Montoya 1
Steve Wallace 1
Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge Award Tally
Marcos Ambrose 1
Aric Almirola 1
Regan Smith 1
Scott Pruett 1
Mike Wallace 1
Jay Sauter 1
Stephen Leicht 1
Paul Menard 1
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