Marcos Ambrose has asserted his speed on the NASCAR Busch Series field with a strong start in practice for the NAPA Auto Parts 200 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada today.
Ambrose was third fastest in the second practice session around the 2.709-mile (4.361-kilometre) road course, following up from sixth fastest in opening practice.
Ambrose was pleased with the performance of the Aussie Vineyards-backed #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion, with this weekend seeing Ambrose debut a new road course car.
The Australian will get a further two practice sessions tomorrow at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve before qualifying and the NAPA Auto Parts 200 are held on Saturday, Canadian time (Sunday morning Australian time).
Ambrose and his Wood Brothers/JTG Racing crew have already sighted brakes as a crucial element to success in this weekend’s race, with the Montreal circuit set to prove a tough test over the course of the 74-lap race.
Ron Fellows finished today’s practice with the fastest time ahead of Robby Gordon and Ambrose.
Marcos Ambrose – Aussie Vineyards-backed #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion
“We’re not too worried about times but we are pleasantly surprised with our time today and how far up the leader board that we are, ” said Ambrose.
“I’m looking forward to this weekend. I think we have a pretty good shot at a top performance.
“The track is good; it’s a lot of fun. It’s got some high speed parts but really technical as well and all the change of directions. We’re really pumped to be here. It’s a great track. You don’t often get a chance to run a track like this too often. It’s only open once or twice a year, so this is pretty special.
“We’ve got as good a shot as the rest of the guys out there. We just need to find a couple of tenths and well be happy. ”
“Ernie Cope has been with this team for a long time and has been my crew chief for the last couple of races, and Greg (Connor) is here this weekend as well. So, we haven’t shaken things up too much. We just have a few extra hands helping us. ”
Ernie Cope – Crew Chief, Aussie Vineyards-backed #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion
“I like the track, ” said Cope.
“It’s fast with a lot of high braking and it’s a good road course. It’s a little narrower than we’re used to, but there’s about three high speed places where you can out brake somebody for position.
”The biggest thing here this weekend is taking care of brakes. That’s the problems we see on the crew side. Marcos says the car is good; he just has concerns about the brakes making it the whole race.
“We’re trying different compounds brakes here in practice. That’s what we’ll be working on before the race. ”
| 
|