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AMBROSE FASTEST IN FINAL PRACTICE AT MONTREAL PDF Print E-mail
Saturday, 02 August 2008
Marcos Ambrose will enter tomorrow’s NAPA Auto Parts 200 as the man to beat after setting the fastest time in final NASCAR Nationwide Series practice at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada today. The Australian was second fastest in first practice earlier today before setting the fastest time in final practice on a slippery track as a result of oil.

Ambrose only had two laps at full speed in final practice due to a gearbox problem, but that was enough time for him to top the timesheets in the #59 STP Ford Fusion.

Ambrose led 37 laps at this event last year before an incident with Robby Gordon with two laps remaining knocked him out of the lead. He recovered to finish in seventh.

Since then Ambrose has scored a second place finish on the road course in Mexico City and is now focused on scoring his first NASCAR victory in Canada tomorrow.

Ambrose, a former two-time V8 Supercar Champion in his native Australia, sees brakes and weather as the two key factors in tomorrow’s race, with rain anticipated and NASCAR evaluating whether to use Goodyear rain tyres if the circuit is wet, which is extremely rare in NASCAR.

Ambrose led former CART race winners Max Papis and Scott Pruett in final practice. Former Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve was sixth fastest.

Tomorrow will see qualifying held before the 74-lap race is staged in the afternoon.

QUOTES – MARCOS AMBROSE

Post-Practice Press Conference

Q: TALK ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE LAPS.

“The second practice was really a waste of time for us with the oil going down and the session starting late. We actually only got two timed laps, so that was disappointing for us.

“We blew a gearbox up late in the first session just trying to develop me gearbox. I guess we’re lucky that happened today and not tomorrow.

“But all things considered, I’m really happy with the balance of the car. I think it’s better than last year’s car I had here. The brakes feel like there a little better. We worked on those in the 12 months that we’ve had to get ready for this race.

“So, fingers crossed, it will be OK.”

Q: THE TIMES IN GENERAL WERE SLOWER THIS AFTERNOON.

“When the sun comes out on the race track, traditionally you see it, you can be anywhere in the world. But when that sun gets on the race track, when that UV’s on the race track it does take away the grip from the tyres.

“A guy from a tyre company that’s not part of NASCAR once told me as soon as that sun hits the race track, it’s considerable how much grip comes away from the tyre.

“Even if it doesn’t get hotter, just the UV on the race track can really change the way that the tire will grip the surface. So, I’d put it down to that. I felt like the car was on top of the race track there in the second practice session. It wasn’t really gripping like I wanted it to. And we put it down to the weather.”

Q: IS THERE ANYTHING MISSING TO CLAIM THAT FIRST VICTORY TOMORROW?

“Right now, I feel I’m in good shape. There are a lot of unknowns. We didn’t quite get enough laps this afternoon to get a good feel on light fuel and old tyres to get a good balance on the car.

“I feel like the brakes are a mystery to us and the competition. I don’t quite know how good [Scott] Pruett is. He seems like he’s right there with us. You know that he’s going to have a good car tomorrow. I just don’t quite know how good he’s got it and there are 42 other cars to worry about as well, not just Scott.

“We’ve got [Jacques] Villeneuve in there and he’s going to be spanner in the works, for sure. So the competition is an element that I don’t quite know.

“I feel like our car is good. Could it be better? Yes. Is it better than last year? It definitely is. I just hope we’ve done enough work.”

Q: CAN YOU TALK ABOUT RACING IN THE RAIN?

“The first thing is, Goodyear has brought some rain tyres for us. Although, I think they’ve been towing them around for about six-and-a-half years. And when I saw them in Mexico at the start of the year, they were already purple. I’m not sure they’re going to be the best tyres to run on, but if that’s what NASCAR chooses to do, then I’ll be the first one to jump in my car and get ready to go.

“I’m used to running in the rain. I feel like I’ve got an advantage over the NASCAR regular drivers, maybe not these road ringers that we have here. But, in general we’re looking pretty good.

“I think the weather is going to play a part in tomorrow’s race, there’s no doubt about that. You just have to make good choices. Whatever NASCAR decides to do, whatever the weather decides to do, you’ve got to be very versatile with the set-up of your car and your driving style.”

Q & A with MARCOS AMBROSE

Q: TALK ABOUT RETURNING TO MONTREAL.

“It’s great to be back. Montreal is a wonderful city this time of year. At least the race is now and not in January when it’s so cold.

“I forget about last year. It’s gone and it’s no point to bring up bad memories. We’re just looking forward to this weekend.

“Hopefully, we’re running well. The car in practice was good. We feel like we’ve got a good chance. I’m desperate to win a NASCAR race. I feel like this one of my good chances to get it done.”

Q: THE WAY YOU RAN LAST YEAR MUST GIVE YOU A LOT OF CONFIDENCE.

“I know what to feel and what to expect and what I need from the car to last the fuel run and to keep everything consistent. I feel like our car is very consistent balanced. I have confidence because I know the track suits me and I know that the car is working well.”

Q: THERE’S A GOOD CHANCE OF RAIN TOMORROW FOR THE RACE. DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD CHANGE THINGS DRASTICALLY?

“Depends on if NASCAR wants to run in the rain. Yeah, bring it on. We’ll run rain or shine. I really feel like the race is going to be long tomorrow. There’s going to be a lot of cautions. The weather is going to be unpredictable. It’s going to create a lot of change in the outcome of the race, I’m sure.”

Q: HAVE YOU TALKED TO BORIS SINCE MEXICO?

“We’re both driving Fords, so we see each other from time to time. He’s not overly friendly to me, so it’s his choice to make the next move. I tried to clear the air after Mexico. I don’t owe him anything more, I don’t owe him more of an apology than what I’ve already done. If he wants to talk or not, that’s his choice. I’ve got no bad feelings. I’m looking forward to racing him hard on Saturday and hopefully one of us will put a Ford in victory lane.”

Q: HOW IS THE TRACK TODAY?

“The track was in good condition. There was no issue at all. The track stood up well for us. There’s some patches from last year obviously after the Formula One race, which gives us different grip. It’s a just a slight change in the way we set the cars up. The track is in good condition.”

Q: ARE YOU GOING TO DO ANY NATIONWIDE SERIES RACES NEXT YEAR?

“I don’t know about Nationwide races. I think all our sponsors that we’re currently with in the Nationwide Series have committed to go Cup racing. We’ve got a few irons in the fire on Nationwide deals for other drivers.

“I think as a group, we’re going to field a really good team in the Nationwide Series. Whether I’m part of that or not, it’s up to the sponsors and the team to decide that. But I would like to.

“If someone else could put me in their car too, they can give me a phone call. The more races I do, the better I’m gonna get.”

Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT NASCAR PULLING OUT OF THE MEXICO RACE?

“I’ve been there twice and I’ve seen the crowd drop both years. If the market wasn’t there for it, I can understand not wanting to go back. It was fun to have three road course races on the calendar. It’s good for us road ringers but it’s NASCAR’s choice to go where they want. They keep giving us money to race, so I’ll keep turning up wherever the send us.”

Q: WHAT KIND OF AN AFFECT DO YOU THINK IT HAS ON THIS RACE?

“I’m not sure, you’ll have to ask the Canadians that. It’s nice to have an international feel in the Nationwide Series. It’s a point of difference from the championship. There’s a couple of Canadian drivers that race now in the Nationwide Series. There’s some crossover there and some merit to it. I like traveling, obviously. I like to get another stamp on my passport every now and then, which is good.”

Q: TALK ABOUT THE TYRES AND IF IT RAINS TOMORROW.

“It’s NASCAR’s choice. It looks like it could be touch and go for some showers. I’m not sure if the weather tires would have the most grip I’ve ever since. I saw them in Mexico and the looked a little purple. NASCAR will do everything they can to get the race in. And it if rains, I’m happy to run. I’ll run anything.”

Q: YOU’VE RACED IN THE RAIN BEFORE?

“Yeah, I’m not sure if that’s good or bad because I don’t know what to expect. It’s no fun running in the rain. The car slips around a lot. It’s very treacherous. You can crash the car or hydroplane on the brakes and stuff. It will make it interesting for sure, if that happens.”

Q: YOU HAD A SOLID RUN IN THE CUP CAR LAST WEEK. YOU ALSO LED TODAY’S PRACTICE. DOES THAT HELP YOUR CONFIDENCE?

“This weekend feels like a holiday because I had so much pressure last week to make the show and it was my first Cup start on an oval. I come here with only one event to worry about, plus it’s a road race, plus the car is handling well. It feels like I’m just on cruise control.”

Q: CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR FORD FUSION RACE CAR?

“The car is good. We had a gearbox issue there the first practice. I’m worried about that. We want the gearbox to last and be durable for us and not be a weak link. So, that’s a worry for me. But the car itself is handling really well. We’ve got good power here this weekend. We’re getting of the corners well with our suspension package. I feel like we’re in good shape.”

RESULTS: Final Practice
1. #59 Marcos Ambrose 1:43.165
2. #64 Max Papis 1:43.424
3. #40 Scott Pruett 1:43.500
4. #9 Patrick Carpentier 1:43.878
5. #25 Boris Said 1:43.896
6. #32 Jacques Villeneuve 1:44.267
7. #5 Ron Fellows 1:44.971
8. #22 Andrew Ranger 1:45.007
9. #66 Steven Wallace 1:45.070
10. #27 Brad Coleman 1:45.378

RESULTS: Practice 1
1. #40 Scott Pruett 1:42.493
2. #59 Marcos Ambrose 1:42.853
3. #25 Boris Said 1:43.257
4. #9 Patrick Carpentier 1:43.530
5. #32 Jacques Villeneuve 1:43.594
6. #64 Max Papis 1:43.612
7. #29 Scott Wimmer 1:43.945
8. #5 Ron Fellows 1:43.973
9. #7 Mike Wallace 1:43.984
10. #27 Brad Coleman 1:43.985

2008 NASCAR Nationwi! de Series Standings - After Race 22 of 35
1. Clint Bowyer 3216
2. Brad Keselowski 3043
3. Carl Edwards 3036
4. David Reutimann 2926
5. David Ragan 2885
6. Mike Bliss 2838
7. Kyle Busch 2828
8. Mike Wallace 2616
9. David Stremme 2587
10. Jason Keller 2534
11. Jason Leffler 2491
12. Marcos Ambrose 2411

2008 NNS Prizemoney after 22 races:
Marcos Ambrose: US$657,666

RACE SCHEDULE
Local Montreal (US Eastern) Times
Qualifying
Saturday 2 August 2008
12:10pm

Race – 74 laps
Saturday 2 August 2008
3:30pm US Eastern

UNITED STATES TV SCHEDULE
Saturday 2 August 2008
ESPN2
3:00pm US Eastern

AUSTRALIAN TIMES
Australian Eastern Standard Times
Qualifying
Sunday 3 August 2008
2:10am

Race – 74 laps
Sunday ! 3 August 2008
5:30am AEST

AUSTRALIAN TV SCHEDULE
Sunday 3 August 2008
Ten HD
10:00am AEST

To watch live streaming online visit: http://www.nascar.com/multimedia/webcast/busch/index.html

ABOUT CIRCUIT GILLES VILLENEUVE
Location: Montreal, Canada
Track Length: 2.710 miles
Race Distance: 74 laps
Circuit Type: 14-turn road course

NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES RECORD BOOK
Defending Nationwide Race Winner: Kevin Harvick
Defending Nationwide Polesitter: Patrick Carpentier
Marcos Ambrose 2007 Race Finish: Seventh
Marcos Ambrose 2007 Qualifying: Fifth




Robby Gordon punts out Marcos Ambrose in Montreal in 2007

 



Marcos Ambrose is all smiles after setting the fastest time in final practice in Montreal, Canada

 
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