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Rain Washes Away Ambrose Nextel Cup Debut |
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Monday, 13 August 2007 |
Marcos Ambrose has been denied his first NASCAR Nextel Cup start when rain caused the cancellation of qualifying for the Centurion Boats at the Glen in Watkins Glen, New York today.
Heavy rain saw NASCAR officials forced to cancel qualifying for Sunday’s NASCAR Nextel Cup race, with the starting order now determined by points standings.
Ambrose was looking to qualify the Kingsford Charcoal-backed #77 Camping World Ford Fusion based on speed, as being a new entry, it is not guaranteed a start by being in the Top 35 in Owner’s Points.
Ambrose was one of 14 cars set to challenge for the eight ‘open’
starting positions in qualifying, however with the qualifying washout,
the final grid positions are also now set by points, leaving Ambrose,
who is driving a first-time entry for Robby Gordon Motorsports and
therefore has no owner’s points, on the sidelines for this weekend’s
Cup race.
Ambrose joins Boris Said, Brian Simo, Ward Burton, AJ Allmendinger and
Klaus Graf in being denied a chance to start Sunday’s race due to the
qualifying rain-out.
Ambrose was 35th fastest in a rain-effected Nextel Cup practice session
this morning, the Australian only getting the chance to complete eight
laps, but the 30-year-old was confident of the pace of his car for the
afternoon qualifying session.
The Australian will now put all his energies into tomorrow’s NASCAR
Busch Series Zippo 200, where Ambrose will be challenging for victory
in his full-time ride, the Aussie Vineyards-backed #59 Kingsford
Charcoal Ford Fusion for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing.
Marcos Ambrose – Kingsford Charcoal-backed #77 Camping World Ford Fusion
“You can’t fight Mother Nature, that’s for sure,” said Ambrose.
“It’s disappointing. We thought we had a good shot at qualifying the
car in, but that’s just the way it goes. It was dirty all day and
drizzling with rain all day, so we knew that we were going to be up
against it. It makes no difference.
“We’ve had such a great week. From the controversy in Montreal, then to
kiss and make up, and then the announcement of the big Cup deal and all
the media frenzy that’s been around us – we’ve got a lot out of this
week.
“Running the race would have been fantastic for us, but we’ve already
achieved so much. Robby promised me that he was going to give me
another shot, so I’m going to twist his arm until he gives me one.
“The reception we’ve received from everyone has been big. Instantly
we've gone from anonymity to some form of status down pit lane.
“Lots of people have been asking for autographs – it's been quite
entertaining. It's great news, to be honest. It means that we are doing
something right and this week has really worked out. There's been
plenty of talk and plenty of banter, and that's a good thing."
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