NASCAR star Marcos Ambrose returns to the track this weekend at Pocono Raceway, putting behind a big week where it was announced that the Australian will be splitting with JTG Daugherty Racing at the end of the season.“It’ll be good to get back on the track and behind the wheel again,” Marcos Ambrose said.
“I’m really looking forward to finishing off the year strongly with JTG Daugherty Racing; I’m still as hungry and focused as ever to get some wins on the board for the team.
“There are no deals done for next year, what’s true is that at the end of the season I’ll be a free agent.
“At this stage I’m not sure what the future is going to bring, but I am very thankful for the journey so far with JTG Daugherty Racing, we’re all friends here, and I think that will continue long after the end of this season.
“I’m in no rush to make my next move; I’m just going to let things settle in the next week or so.
“It’s been a big decision, but I feel it was the right one and the time was right to announce it.
“We’ve got a lot to look forward to, after Pocono we return to Watkins Glen, Michigan, Bristol and Montreal, they are all tracks that I enjoy competing on.”
Meanwhile this weekend at Pocono Raceway, the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 will see Ambrose looking for redemption.
During the NASCAR Sprint Cup’s last visit to the unique tri-oval in June, Ambrose was an innocent victim of a massive last lap pile up, which eliminated his Toyota Camry from a strong finishing position.
Ambrose however has a good record at Pocono; after finishing in sixth position in his first race at the 2.5 mile long circuit in 2009, he then led his first ever career laps during the corresponding race last year.
“Pocono is an amazing place; it’s unlike any other oval we visit,” Ambrose said.
“There’s long straights followed by tight corners, it takes a very different approach to a typically high banked superspeedway, but I definitely like the challenge.
“The finish of the June race pretty much sums up our season, we were simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“We worked hard on the car throughout that race, so we know we have a good baseline to start from this weekend.
“I can’t wait to get out there and just concentrate on racing.”
JTG Daugherty Racing meanwhile has announced that Ambrose will be replaced in the squad for 2011 by 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte.
This weekend’s race will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 2 from 2:00am EST on Monday, with replays on One HD hosted by Marcos Ambrose, check your local guides for broadcast details.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Preview
Pocono Raceway
Track Distance: 2.5 miles/4.025km
Track Type: Tri-Oval
Crowd Capacity: 76,812
Last time at Pocono Raceway
Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500 presented by Target, winner- Denny Hamlin
Marcos Ambrose finishing position- 30th (contact)
Other Marcos Ambrose Results at Pocono Raceway
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
2009 (2): 34th
2009 (1): 6th
NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings (after race 20 of 36)
1. Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet)- 2920 points
2. Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet)- 2736
3. Denny Hamlin (Toyota)- 2660
4. Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet)- 2659
5. Kurt Busch (Dodge)- 2658
6. Matt Kenseth (Ford)- 2630
7. Kyle Busch (Toyota)- 2615
8. Jeff Burton (Chevrolet)- 2573
9. Tony Stewart (Chevrolet)- 2544
10. Carl Edwards (Ford)- 2496
11. Greg Biffle (Ford)- 2462
12. Clint Bowyer (Chevrolet)- 2446
27. Marcos Ambrose (Toyota)- 1839
Australian TV Guide
Check local guides for regional viewing times
Qualifying
One HD- Saturday July 31st, 1:50pm – Sunday August 1st, 1:15am
Happy Hour Practice
One HD- Monday August 2nd, 1:05am – 2:05am
Race
Fox Sports 2 (Plus Fox Sports 2HD)- Monday August 2nd, 2:00am – 7:30am
Race Replays
Fox Sports 1 (Plus Fox Sports 1HD)- Monday August 2nd, 11:30pm – Tuesday August 3rd, 2:00am
Fox Sports 2 (Plus Fox Sports 2HD)- Tuesday August 3rd, 10:30am – 12:30pm
One HD (Hosted by Marcos Ambrose)- Tuesday August 3rd, 8:30pm – 9:30pm
One HD (Hosted by Marcos Ambrose)- Wednesday August 4th, 12:40am – 1:40am
One HD (Hosted by Marcos Ambrose)- Thursday August 5th, 9:30am – 10:30am
For further information on Marcos Ambrose, visit www.marcosambrose.com.au.
