Ambrose claims second NASCAR win in a week

Marcos Ambrose claimed his second NASCAR win for the week, breaking through for his maiden victory at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, his first Nationwide Series win at the venue.

After not turning a lap in either practice or qualifying, Ambrose started rear of field, before working his way through to the front.

Mid-way through the race, Ambrose found himself at the back once again following heavy contact from local favourite Jacques Villeneuve.

However, the Australian forced his way back to the lead and survived a late race caution to claim his fourth career NASCAR Nationwide Series race win.

“I’m making a habit of winning for Stanley and Ford, to win two in two weeks is just awesome,” Ambrose said.

“I just can’t thank these guys enough for the opportunity; I’ve wanted to win here for so long.

“In the past I have felt pretty hard done by, but this year the race went my way.

“I didn’t lead as many laps, but I led the most important one.”

With Ambrose busy in practice and qualifying for his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car in Michigan, set-up duties on the Richard Petty Motorsports machine were given to fellow Tasmanian Owen Kelly, who was near the top of the time sheets throughout the weekend.

Flying into the circuit with Carl Edwards and Trevor Bayne, Ambrose made it to his car with only a matter of minutes to spare before the start of the race.

Ambrose didn’t muck around from the green flag, passing 16 cars on the first lap to sit in 27th, making it well within the top-20 before pitting on lap six for his first scheduled stop.

The first caution appeared on lap 14 when local debutant Maryeve Dufault spun before being collected by Bayne, with Ambrose staying out on the circuit, gaining valuable track position.

Lining up for the restart from position nine, Ambrose spent precious little time moving through the pack, within two laps charging through to second.



Ambrose pitted for four fresh tyres at the end of lap 29, before tucking in behind race leader Villeneuve.

The caution lights flashed on again for Louis-Philippe Dumoulin on lap 41, with Ambrose lining up second for the restart.

The race unraveled for the Australian when the green flag dropped, briefly taking the lead before previous leader Villeneuve lost control on the grass, t-boning the Stanley Ford Mustang.

Pitting under green flag conditions to repair the car’s steering and a rubbing tyre, Ambrose found himself once again at the tail of the field.

Ambrose however didn’t give up, and with the fastest car on the track he continued his charge, which was assisted by a caution for Boris Said on lap 52 of 74.

Ambrose pitted under that caution for fuel and tyres, before staying out of the pits during the subsequent caution for the spun car of Alex Kennedy, restarting the race from 12th.

Passing eight cars on the lap after the restart, Ambrose then passed Justin Allgaier to sit in third, before yet another full course yellow flag.

Acing the restart, Ambrose jumped ahead of Alex Tagliani to take the race lead, with the field slowing once again with seven laps remaining when Robby Gordon’s car transpired.

With a four lap run to the chequered flag, Ambrose put his head down and was never challenged.

Ambrose will now be trekking south to Michigan International Speedway, where he will be competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 on Sunday (US time), starting from 16th position.