04 July 2009
Marcos Ambrose has claimed his fifth top 10 finish of the 2009 Sprint Cup season with a sensational sixth place in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway in Florida today.

The race ended in spectacular and controversial circumstances, as race winner Tony Stewart and NASCAR wild child Kyle Busch made contact on the run to the chequered flag, resulting in a spectacular crash that Ambrose was able to avoid.

It was a strong run all day long for Ambrose aboard his #47 Kingsford entry of JTG Daugherty Racing, having started from 18th place after the field was set on points as a result of qualifying being rained out.

Ambrose ran in the lead pack all day at his second Sprint Cup race at the 2.5-mile oval, running as high as third throughout the 160-lap race.

After today’s outstanding finish Ambrose remains 18th in the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series after 18 races, which marks the halfway point of this year’s championship.

The finish gives also Ambrose results of 17th, fourth and sixth in the three restrictor-plate superspeedway races held so far this season, just his fourth season of oval racing competition since leaving Australia after two V8 Supercar championships.

Ambrose will be looking to continue his strong form in what is still his first full season at the top flight Sprint Cup level of NASCAR when he races at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois next weekend.

WHAT MARCOS HAD TO SAY …

“This is a great result for us, especially given I’ve been pretty sick this week,” said Ambrose.

“I was on an IV drip before the race and haven’t been feeling great. Racing at Daytona in July sure helps get rid of a cold because it was hot out there.

“We’ve just come so far in this sport. I’m just so happy that we were able to finish the race and get another top 10.

“My crew chief Frankie (Kerr) just did an awesome job. It’s wonderful all round. I’ve just got to thank Michael Waltrip and all his team for giving the support.

“We’re running as JTG Daugherty, but all the technical help from MWR and all the feedback I’m getting is just making me such a better driver and we’ve got all the good gear.

“It’s just an awesome night for us. We’re back on track on points and we just keep getting better and better every week.”

RESULTS: Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway
Race 18 of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
1. #14 Tony Stewart 160 laps
2. #48 Jimmie Johnson
3. #11 Denny Hamlin
4. #99 Carl Edwards
5. #2 Kurt Busch
6. #47 Marcos Ambrose
7. #83 Brian Vickers
8. #17 Matt Kenseth
9. #42 Juan Pablo Montoya
10. #19 Elliott Sadler

2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver’s Standings – After Race 18 of 36
1. Tony Stewart 2719
2. Jeff Gordon 2539
3. Jimmie Johnson 2525
4. Kurt Busch 2414
5. Carl Edwards 2317
6. Denny Hamlin 2302
7. Ryan Newman 2235
8. Kyle Busch 2234
9. Greg Biffle 2215
10. Matt Kenseth 2201
11. Juan Pablo Montoya 2187
12. Kasey Kahne 2166
18. Marcos Ambrose 1948