Marcos Ambrose survived a grueling day on the Dover International Speedway ‘Monster Mile’, bringing home a 20th place finish from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400.
In a race that featured only four caution flag periods, extended uninterrupted stints of clean racing were the order of the day.
“We were caught out today a bit with the long green flag stint at the start,” Marcos Ambrose said.
“The car had reasonable pace, but because the lap time here is so short, we lost a lap.
“From there it was hard to get back on the lead lap, and the timing of the cautions never really worked out for us.
“I don’t think anyone out there had a perfect car, Dover is one of those tough races.
“The guys in the Chase have all wheeled out their A-games, and they are hard to beat at this time of the year.
“We head back to Kansas next weekend, and we’re looking to round out the season on a high note.”
After starting from 23rd position, Ambrose made a solid start, before early cautions curtailed the opening exchanges.
On lap 38 the field slowed for track repairs, while on lap 50 Ambrose’s Michael Waltrip Racing stable mate David Reutimann smacked the wall.
Racing then proceeded to stay green for an extended period, with the third caution of the race appearing on lap 186, when Chase contender Matt Kenseth shredded a tyre while making an attempt to get to the pits.
Running a lap down in 25th position, Ambrose then found himself in line for the Luck Dog free-pass back onto the lead lap, making it as high as nine in the running order.
After setting times as quick as the race leader, the handling of Ambrose’s Toyota Camry degraded, with its condition reported to be “10 out of 10 loose”, with the much needed yellow flag not forthcoming.
A debris caution came out just after the penultimate round of pit stops on lap 291, with Ambrose running in 20th position, however no longer in line for the free-pass.
Ambrose made his final visit to pit road on lap 360 of 400 from 17th position, making it past Chase contender Greg Biffle in the process.
Biffle made it back by in the run to the chequered flag, with the JTG Daugherty Racing crew having to settle for 20th at the finish.
The result sees Ambrose rise up to 24th in the season standings.
Jimmie Johnson put a difficult opening race of the Chase last weekend at Loudon behind him, with a dominating victory as he staked his claim on an incredible fifth straight NASCAR Sprint Cup title.
Race highlights will be shown on Fox Sports today, and One HD hosted by Marcos Ambrose from Tuesday night.
Next weekend the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup continues at Kansas Speedway with the Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Review
Dover International Speedway- AAA 400
1. Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet)
2. Jeff Burton (Chevrolet)
3. Joey Logano (Toyota)
4. Kurt Busch (Dodge)
5. Carl Edwards (Ford)
6. Kyle Busch (Toyota)
7. Paul Menard (Ford)
8. Ryan Newman (Chevrolet)
9. Denny Hamlin (Toyota)
10. A.J. Allmendinger (Ford)
20. Marcos Ambrose (Toyota)
NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings (after race 28 of 36)
1. Denny Hamlin (Toyota)- 5368points
2. Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet)- 5333
3. Kyle Busch (Toyota)- 5323
4. Kurt Busch (Dodge)- 5309
5. Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet)- 5303
6. Carl Edwards (Ford)- 5295
7. Jeff Burton (Chevrolet)- 5288
8. Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet)- 5285
9. Greg Biffle (Ford)- 5228
10. Tony Stewart (Chevrolet)- 5206
11. Matt Kenseth (Ford)- 5203
12. Clint Bowyer (Chevrolet)- 5133
24. Marcos Ambrose (Toyota)- 2741
Next Event
Kansas Speedway- Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods
Source: http://www.nmd.com.au/nmd/news/details/8021
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