Marcos Ambrose has qualified for his ninth career start in the NASCAR Sprint Cup after positing the 24th fastest time during qualifying for Sunday’s Dickies 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway today.
Ambrose’s effort during qualifying aids his cause for the Michael Waltrip Racing organisation as he attempts to push the #47 Little Debbie Toyota Camry into the top 35 in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner’s points. In Sprint Cup competition the top 35 cars in the owner’s points are guaranteed a start in each race, meaning that Ambrose had to qualify on speed today.
As a part of his ‘double duties’ this weekend Ambrose recorded another solid result during qualifying in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and will start from the 13th row of the starting line-up for the O’Reilly Challenge tomorrow.
Entering tomorrow’s 33rd race in the NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule Ambrose is tenth in the points standings – a position he is aiming to improve on with a strong result during tomorrow’s 200-lap journey.
Jeff Gordon secured pole position for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race and Carl Edwards will start from the inside of the front row in the NASCAR Nationwide race.
QUOTES - MARCOS AMBROSE
“My lap during the Cup qualifying was decent but could have been a bit better. I got loose on the first lap and had to do a second lap there. It was a bit unfortunate but we’re in the show and that was the number one aim,” said Ambrose.
“Just like last weekend our aim in the Cup race to try and get inside the top 35 in owner’s points, we edged closer last week so hopefully a good result on Sunday will get us in there.
“I would have liked to have finished a bit further up during qualifying in the Nationwide car but I’m confident about having a strong run in the race.”
RESULTS: Sprint Cup Qualifying
1 #24 Jeff Gordon 28.652
2 #1 Martin Truex Jr. 28.723
3 #07 Clint Bowyer 28.745
4 #26 Jamie McMurray 28.745
5 #88 Dale Earnhardt 28.762
6 #17 Matt Kenseth 28.811
7 #48 Jimmie Johnson 28.815
8 #20 Tony Stewart 28.839
9 #41 Reed Sorenson 28.850
10 #66 Scott Riggs 28.856
24 #47 Marcos Ambrose 28.988
2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Owner’s Points – After Race 33 of 36
31. #41 Chip Ganassi Racing 2652
32. #66 Haas CNC Racing 2628
33. #22 Bill Davis Racing 2606
34. #7 Robby Gordon Motorsports 2551
35. #84 Red Bull Racing 2526
36. #47 Michael Waltrip Racing 2446
37. #77 Penske Racing 2396
38. #10 Gillett Evernham Motorsports 2295
39. #96 Hall of Fame Racing 2182
40. #45 Petty Enterprises 2136
2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Prizemoney after 8 races:
Marcos Ambrose: US$839,995
RESULTS: Nationwide Qualifying
1 #60 Carl Edwards 28.708
2 #33 Kevin Harvick 28.941
3 #25 Bobby Hamilton Jr. 29.044
4 #18 Kyle Busch 29.072
5 #64 David Stremme 29.082
6 #5 Mark Martin 29.104
7 #21 Stephen Leicht 29.130
8 #20 Joey Logano 29.135
9 #38 Jason Leffler 29.163
10 #10 Brian Vickers 29.167
25 #59 Marcos Ambrose 29.479
2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Standings – After Race 32 of 35
1. Clint Bowyer 4667
2. Carl Edwards 4551
3. Brad Keselowski 4378
4. Mike Bliss 4168
5. David Ragan 4155
6. David Reutimann 4052
7. Kyle Busch 3931
8. Mike Wallace 3754
9. Jason Leffler 3726
10. Marcos Ambrose 3692
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