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Australian NASCAR driver Marcos Ambrose has completed his first test with Wood Brothers Racing in preparation for his NASCAR Sprint Cup debut at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California in three weeks time.
Ambrose drove the famous 21 Wood Brothers Ford in an open test at Virginia International Raceway which was attended by the majority of the Sprint Cup field.
Ambrose completed 38 laps for a total of about 85 miles (136kms) and was conservatively in the top five cars at the end of the day, which was not officially recorded or timed.
Ambrose will make his debut in NASCAR’s top ranks in a Little Debbie-backed Wood Brothers Ford Fusion at Sonoma on June 22. He will then run a further seven events for Wood Brothers at New Hampshire, Watkins Glen, Michigan, California, Dover, Texas and Phoenix.
Ambrose will also drive four Sprint Cup events for JTG Racing, the first of which will be at Indianapolis in August. He will also run at Kansas, Atlanta and Homestead for that team.
“Overall I would have to say the test was very encouraging,” said Ambrose.
“We did good times throughout the day in the changing conditions and there was some real positive feedback from inside and outside the car.
“It was great to have both Eddie and Len Wood at the test and to continually bounce things off them as we progressed through the day.
“The whole Wood Brothers team made me feel extremely welcome and everyone was certainly open to ideas and direction as we progressed throughout the day.
“We certainly have a reasonable package underneath us for qualifying at Sonoma in three weeks time.”
“I am definitely excited about my NASCAR Sprint Cup debut and to be making it with a team with the history of the Wood Brothers and with a sponsor the size of Little Debbie is a privilege and an honor.”
Eddie and Len Wood were both pleased with the increased cohesion between their team and Ambrose as the day progressed.
“We had a real solid and productive test today,” said Eddie Wood.
“It was the first time we had worked together with Marcos one on one and he fitted in with the team very well.
“He is obviously a very talented road racer and had plenty of input into the car today with some positive results.
“With three different types of tires being used here today it is really hard to provide an exact account of where were finished on the time sheets, but I would certainly say we were well within the top five.
“That provides us with some valuable confidence heading into our first race with Marcos at Sonoma in three weeks time.
“It is always important to have the chemistry right when you are working with a new driver and I think today certainly provided a solid foundation on which we can build for our eight races together this year.”
In the meantime Ambrose will continue his NASCAR Nationwide campaign in the Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tennessee this weekend.
