August 10, 2008

MARCOS Ambrose claimed his maiden NASCAR win with victory in the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International in New York.

Ambrose is the first Australian to earn a NASCAR victory and his historic feat on the 3.94km road course lifts him into the top 10 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series standings.

On Monday, Ambrose will look to repeat the effort when he races in the top-tier NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Watkins Glen.

Since leaving Australia to pursue a career in NASCAR in 2006, the former V8 Supercar champion has made 83 NASCAR starts across the Craftsman Truck Series, Nationwide Series and top-flight Sprint Cup Series.

The win is the first for JTG Daugherty Racing team since former NBA star Brad Daugherty bought in and the first victory for the operation since August 23, 1996 when Jeff Fuller won at Bristol Motor Speedway, also in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

"It's a big relief," said Ambrose.

"I've come along way, I've dragged my family halfway around the world, away from my dad and mum, and everybody who needs me back in Australia, and today it just feels like it's worthwhile.

"It feels like I've conquered a huge mountain, and it's just a great day."

With 12 laps to go Ambrose was in third position, but the two cars ahead – Jeff Burton and Jimmie Johnson – ran low on fuel and were forced to pit.

Ambrose's combination of car speed and smart pit strategy came to the fore and the 31-year-old from Launceston, Tasmania collected his first NASCAR win by four seconds from Kyle Busch, with Matt Kenseth finishing third.

Next year Ambrose will race full-time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with JTG Daugherty Racing.