This season has yielded some good surprises. Juan Pablo Montoya has had a break through season, earning a Chase berth; David Reutimann has had some strong runs and his first win; and at age 50 Mark Martin has proven age doesn’t need to be a factor. Another guy making moves, perhaps a little under the radar, is V8 SuperCar Champion Marcos Ambrose.
In his first full time Cup Series season Ambrose and crew chief Frank Kerr have four top-fives and seven top-10s. While he was strong at both road course races this season (third at Sonoma and second at Watkins Glen), Ambrose and Kerr have shown versatility across the schedule. He finished 10th and third at Bristol, fourth at Talladega, sixth at both Richmond and Daytona and 11th at Atlanta and Texas.
While his rookie season has certainly not been without its challenges, Ambrose only has two DNFs (to his credit those were thanks to engine failures) and sits 18th in points.
Prior to this season Ambrose has two full seasons in the Nationwide Series, where he claimed his first NASCAR win (Watkins Glen ‘08), and one partial season in the Camping World Truck Series. While the past three seasons have been average for a driver moving through the NASCAR ranks, his career prior is anything but.
Tasmanian-born Ambrose began his career running go-karts in Tasmania and Australia. At age 20 Ambrose left for England to compete in Formula Ford in preparation for a career in Formula One. After winning the European Formula Ford Championship in 1999, he did a stint in Formula Three. Unfortunately for Ambrose the money ran out and he returned to Australia in 2000.
He was signed in 2001 to run the popular Australian V8 Supercar Series. After winning the Rookie of the Year title in ‘01 Ambrose went on to score back-to-back Championships in 2003 and 2004. Following the 2005 season, Ambrose announced he was making the move to NASCAR.
After just four seasons in NASCAR, Ambrose is proving every week why he deserves to be where he’s at. He’s consistently solid at any number of tracks and genuinely a good guy (though Kyle Busch might have something to say about Ambrose on track).
While there is still work to be done for Ambrose to consistently compete up front, I think this team is right on the cusp. Ambrose and Frankie Kerr work well together and Ambrose is in good equipment from Michael Waltrip Racing. With Reutimann, Waltrip and soon to be quasi-teammate Martin Truex, the team also has a lot of great support.
While Ambrose may not get the press of some his counterparts, I think this is a team to watch. I don’t know about you but I’m excited to see what they can do in 2010.
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on Nov 20th, 2009 at 6:18 am
Looking forward to 2010 season, from central victoria.
Go the quiet achiever.[and team].
on Nov 20th, 2009 at 8:24 am
I’m a fan of Marcos. I’ve followed him since he began in the truck series & watched him steadily improve from year to year. Hopefully he’ll continue his improvement & get that first cup win next year. And yes, he genuinely is a good guy.
on Nov 20th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Ambrose=balance. Given the right equipment, Marcos can be the complete pkg.
on Nov 20th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I’m a big fan. I’ve really enjoyed watching his progress this year. He’s one of the only drivers too that will get me to stop and watch his interviews because he seems so genuinely happy to be racing in NASCAR. There’s very little whining and complaining from Ambrose and that’s refreshing.
on Nov 20th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Ambrose is the best example of a driver who is truly thankful and happy to have reached such a high level in motorsports. Kyle Busch could learn a few things from him! I think this team has been the overachiever of the year and I look for even more good things to come from them next year. It will be interesting to see if his first Cup win comes as expected on a road course, or if he falls just short once again and instead wins at a place like Bristol, Richmond, or a plate track.
on Nov 20th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
The man is a talented driver. Has anybody ever watched V-8 Super Car races? 1000 HP stock cars on some very challenging road courses along with some pretty aggressive driving. 2 championships?? That’s impressive..
With the right equipment, he will be a major contender.
on Nov 20th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
I’m with Ross. Marcos is such a great interview because he seems so sincere. None of the whining and excuses from him. The guy just seems to be in awe of his situation. Hope he continues to do well with his current team or even end up with one of the super teams someday.
on Nov 20th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
rain, the V8 Supercars only have 650hp but the tracks are challenging.
Marcos has been very impressive, it’s only a handful that will run better rookie seasons and even fewer without an oval background.
on Nov 20th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
I want to thank those of you who made comments before mine for the kind words about Marcos.
I just love him. What you see during his interviews is exactly how he is in person. I was fortunate to meet him and get his autograph while he was driving trucks. Got a couple of pictures with him too.
I marvel at how well he has done in his first year of CUP racing. Just look where he is in the points compared to some who have been there for years. I think he will be a force to be reckoned with.
Journo, thanks for writing about him.
on Nov 21st, 2009 at 12:30 am
I have followed Him during His V8 Supercar days. Two years ago I was the guest of Armor All/JTG Wood Brothers Racing. I had the opportunity to have dinner with Him and the team. Marcos is a great competitor. What You see is what You get!
on Nov 21st, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Marcos Ambrose-NASCAR,Mark Webber-F1,Casey Stoner-MotoGP,Will Power and Ryan Briscoe-IndyCar and now young Daniel Ricciardo Testing for Red bull F1.All Aussies,all great drivers/riders.2010 will be a big year…
on Nov 22nd, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I`ve been fortunate enough to see Marcos race at 3 tracks, Daytona, Richmond and Talledega and in every race he`s just killing them with ability, Hopefully the whole package can lift next season and give Marcos a Chase birth. Next year will be very exiting and I`m definately going to see him race at the opener at Daytona florida. I`ve watched Marcos since he was a kid and I`m not being biased but he`s on par with Vern Schuppen, The kids got talent…Go Marcos Go !!!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 3:03 am
Marcos and the BA Falcon put FORD back on the map in Aust 03,04,05. It was only some sheep shagger that caused him to loose the 05 title.
Now he’s kicking the Yanks at there own game,MA RULES.
Still has one title to get BATHURST BABY.
on Jan 4th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
I’m a little late on my comment… but hey, better late than never. I’ve been extremely impressed by Marcos and Frankie’s performance last year. I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do this year! Word is he’ll be in a car painted with roses for Daytona… should be interesting. Thanks for the article!