Marcos Ambrose has kicked off the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series season with sixth place in opening practice of the Camping World 300 at Daytona International Speedway in Florida today. The Australian driver made it a top ten start to the season for the #59 Kingsford Hickory Ford Fusion, with both Ambrose and his JTG Racing team with the progress made and speed achieved in the 80-minute practice session. Ambrose and crew chief Walter Giles came away happy with the day’s times and are looking for further improvement in final practice tomorrow morning. Ambrose will then be 28th in the running order for Friday’s qualifying before the 120-lap Camping World 300 is held on Saturday afternoon (Sunday morning Australian time). Dale Earnhardt Jr was fastest in practice today ahead of Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick.
Marcos Ambrose – #59 Kingsford Hickory Ford Fusion, This is a good start to for our team here in Daytona said Ambrose. We had the car running well out there and I felt like we have started with a good package. Now we will work away and getting it that little bit better for the weekend.
“I couldn’t be happier with how the team worked today. The atmosphere in the number 59 Kingsford garage is really strong. I just can’t thank this team enough. Walter has our car going well and our team is very positive.
“This is still early days so we are certainly not getting carried away, but this is the sort of start to a weekend that gives you a good feeling. We will all keep working hard and see what we can do tomorrow. “
CLICK HERE to see Marcos’ special green Daytona livery on TheHotLap.com. RESULTS: Practice 11. #5 Dale
1.Earnhardt Jr 48.447
2. #2 Clint Bowyer 48.609
3. #33 Kevin Harvick 48.619
4. #18 Kyle Busch 48.679
5. #16 Greg Biffle 48.723
6. #59 Marcos Ambrose 48.763
7. #22 Mike Bliss 48.797
8. #99 David Reutimann 48.819
9. #25 Bobby Hamilton Jr 48.829
10. #38 Jason Leffler 48.891
RACE SCHEDULE
Local Florida (US Eastern) Times
Final Practice
Thursday 14 February 2008
9:15am – 10:45am
Qualifying
Friday 15 February 2008
3:10pm
Race – 120 laps
Saturday 16 February 2008
1:15pm US Eastern
UNITED STATES TV SCHEDULE
Saturday 16 February 2008
ESPN2
12:00pm US Eastern
AUSTRALIAN TIMES
Final Practice
Friday 15 February 2008
1:15am – 2:45am
Qualifying
Saturday 16 February 2008
7:10am
Race – 120 laps
Sunday 17 February 2008
5:15am AEDST
AUSTRALIAN TV SCHEDULE
Sunday 17 February 2008
Ten HD
4:00am – 8:00am EDST
ABOUT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Race Distance: 120 laps – 300 miles (482.8 kilometres)
Track Length: 2.5 miles (4.023 kilometres)
Degree of Banking in Turns: 31 degrees
Degree of Banking in Back Straight: 3 degrees
Degree of Banking in Front Straight (Tri-Oval): 18 degrees
NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES RECORD BOOK
Nationwide Series Race Record: Geoffrey Bodine, 16 February 1985 (157.137mph)
Nationwide Qualifying Record: Tommy Houston, 2000 (194.389mph)
Defending Nationwide Race Champion: Kevin Harvick
Defending Nationwide Polesitter: Aric Almirola
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