|
Ambrose completes successful cup test with Wood brothers |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, 04 June 2008 |
Australian NASCAR driver Marcos Ambrose has completed his first test with Wood Brothers Racing in preparation for his NASCAR Sprint Cup debut at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California in three weeks time.
Ambrose drove the famous 21 Wood Brothers Ford in an open test at Virginia International Raceway which was attended by the majority of the Sprint Cup field.
Ambrose completed 38 laps for a total of about 85 miles (136kms) and was conservatively in the top five cars at the end of the day, which was not officially recorded or timed.
Ambrose will make his debut in NASCAR’s top ranks in a Little Debbie-backed Wood Brothers Ford Fusion at Sonoma on June 22. He will then run a further seven events for Wood Brothers at New Hampshire, Watkins Glen, Michigan, California, Dover, Texas and Phoenix.
Ambrose will also drive four Sprint Cup events for JTG Racing, the first of which will be at Indianapolis in August. He will also run at Kansas, Atlanta and Homestead for that team.
“Overall I would have to say the test was very encouraging,” said Ambrose.
“We did good times throughout the day in the changing conditions and there was some real positive feedback from inside and outside the car.
“It was great to have both Eddie and Len Wood at the test and to continually bounce things off them as we progressed through the day.
“The whole Wood Brothers team made me feel extremely welcome and everyone was certainly open to ideas and direction as we progressed throughout the day.
“We certainly have a reasonable package underneath us for qualifying at Sonoma in three weeks time.
“I am definitely excited about my NASCAR Sprint Cup debut and to be making it with a team with the history of the Wood Brothers and with a sponsor the size of Little Debbie is a privilege and an honor.”
Eddie and Len Wood were both pleased with the increased cohesion between their team and Ambrose as the day progressed.
“We had a real solid and productive test today,” said Eddie Wood.
“It was the first time we had worked together with Marcos one on one and he fitted in with the team very well.
“He is obviously a very talented road racer and had plenty of input into the car today with some positive results.
“With three different types of tires being used here today it is really hard to provide an exact account of where were finished on the time sheets, but I would certainly say we were well within the top five.
“That provides us with some valuable confidence heading into our first race with Marcos at Sonoma in three weeks time.
“It is always important to have the chemistry right when you are working with a new driver and I think today certainly provided a solid foundation on which we can build for our eight races together this year.”
In the meantime Ambrose will continue his NASCAR Nationwide campaign in the Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tennessee this weekend.
Marcos Ambrose NASCAR Sprint Cup Schedule for Wood Brothers Racing in 2008
June 22 – Infineon Raceway, Sonoma
June 29 - New Hampshire Motor Speedway, New Hampshire
August 10 – Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen
August 17 – Michigan International Speedway, Michigan
August 31 – Auto Club Speedway, California
September 21 – Dover International Speedway, Dover
October 2 – Texas Motor Speedway, Texas
November 9 – Phoenix International Raceway, Phoenix
2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Standings - After Race 14 of 35
1. Clint Bowyer 2028
2. Kyle Busch 1907
3. Carl Edwards 1884
4. David Reutimann 1862
5. Brad Keselowski 1816
6. Mike Bliss 1772
7. David Ragan 1740
8. Jason Leffler 1634
9. Mike Wallace 1624
10. David Stremme 1619
15. Marcos Ambrose 1443
2008 NNS Prizemoney after 14 races:
Marcos Ambrose: US$442,157 (A$460,350)
RACE SCHEDULE
Local Tennessee (US Central) Times
Practice 1
Friday 6 June 2008
5:00pm – 6:15pm
Final Practice
Friday 6 June 2008
6:45pm – 8:00pm
Qualifying
Saturday 7 June 2008
2:35pm
Race – 225 laps
Saturday 7 June 2008
6:30pm US Central
7:30pm US Eastern
UNITED STATES TV SCHEDULE
Saturday 7 June 2008
ESPN2
7:00pm US Eastern
AUSTRALIAN TIMESAustralian Eastern Standard Times
Practice 1
Saturday 7 June 2008
8:00am – 9:15am
Final Practice
Saturday 7 June 2008
9:45am – 11:00am
Qualifying
Sunday 8 June 2008
5:35am
Race – 225 laps
Sunday 8 June 2008
9:30am AEST
AUSTRALIAN TV SCHEDULE
Sunday 8 June 2008
Ten HD
9:00am – 12:00pm AEST
AUSTRALIAN TV REPLAY - DOVER
Saturday 7 June 2008
Ten HD
12:00pm – 1:00pm AEST
ABOUT NASHVILLE SUPERSPEEDWAY
Location: Lebanon, Tennessee
Track Length: 1.333 miles (2.145km)
Race Distance: 225 laps – 300 miles (482.8km)
Degree of Banking in Turns: 14 degrees
Degree of Banking in Front Straight: 9 degrees
Degree of Banking in Back Straight: 6 degrees
NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES RECORD BOOK
Def! ending Nationwide Race Winner: Carl Edwards
Defending Na! tionwide Polesitter: Steve Wallace
Marcos Ambrose 2007 Race Finish: 36th (Engine)
Marcos Ambrose 2007 Qualifying: Fifth
|
|
|
