Marcos Ambrose has today announced that he has signed a multi-year deal to drive in NASCAR’s premiere Sprint Cup Series with Richard Petty Motorsports from 2011 onwards.
Ambrose will drive the team’s number nine car, with primary backing from Stanley Black & Decker, with the move seeing Ambrose return to racing Fords after a two year break.
“I’m very excited to join Richard Petty Motorsports,” Marcos Ambrose said.
“It’s an incredible honor to be able to race for a legend like The King and be a part of this organisation.
“I’m also happy to be back with Ford Racing.
“The number nine team has been a very successful team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
“With the support of Ford and everyone at RPM, I believe we can continue that tradition of success.
“I’m also excited to join forces with Stanley.”
“We are very happy to have Marcos Ambrose join our team,” said NASCAR Hall of Famer and team owner Richard Petty.
“He’s a very talented and passionate driver and will be a great addition to our team.”
“We knew once Marcos became available that we wanted him to be a part of the RPM family,” said Foster Gillett, managing partner and team owner.
“He’s a fan favorite and he’s proven to be a tough competitor on track.
“We’re thrilled to have Stanley continue their partnership with our team and believe that Marcos is a great fit for the Stanley Racing program.”
“Stanley is pleased to partner with Marcos,” said Scott Bannell, Vice President Brand Management and Licensing, Stanley Black & Decker.
“We look forward to carrying the winning tradition of the number nine car into the 2011 season.”
The Tasmanian-born driver cut his racing teeth in V8 Supercar competition before making the shift to NASCAR in 2006.
Through a partnership with Ford Racing, Ambrose made his American racing debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway.
In 2007, Ambrose made the jump to the NASCAR Nationwide Series where he competed for two seasons before his first full season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2009.
“All of us at Ford are very happy to have Marcos ‘back home,’” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford North America Motorsport.
“We helped Marcos come to America and become a NASCAR driver because we believed in his talent, and loved the way he connected with Ford fans here and in Australia.
“Already a Ford champion in V8 Supercars, we believe his move to RPM will give him the car and equipment to win races and contend for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup going forward.”
Richard Petty Motorsports is a partnership between racing legend Richard Petty and George Gillett Jnr.
Petty needs no introduction to NASCAR fans, having won a record 200 races from 1,184 starts over a 35 year career, including seven Daytona 500 victories and seven premiere division championships.
Gillett Jnr meanwhile is known outside of motorsport circles as a co-owner of English Premiere League team, Liverpool F.C.
The team’s number nine car is currently campaigned by Kasey Kahne, with Ambrose joining A.J. Allmendinger as drivers signed on at RPM for 2011.
When Marcos Ambrose lines up at the Daytona 500 next February in the Stanley backed number nine Ford Fusion, he will be commencing his third full season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
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