AMBROSE PLACES IMPORTANCE ON LAS VEGAS

Many people look for a change of fortune on the flight into Las Vegas, Nevada and Marcos Ambrose is one such person as the Australian looks to give his season a kick start in the Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend.

After the first two races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series proved indifferent for Ambrose, the 31-year-old is determined to get a strong result under his belt in Las Vegas to elevate him back towards the top of the points standings. Ambrose was eighth in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in his rookie season last year and is looking to finish even higher in 2008.

Ambrose has good form on the board at the 1.5-mile Las Vegas track, posting a top 10 finish there last season with 10th place after qualifying 14th fastest. Ambrose also posted top 10 times in Las Vegas last month in an official NASCAR Nationwide Series pre-season test.

After two weekends where luck went against the Australian driver, Ambrose is now looking to turn things around in Las Vegas this weekend, a track that he feels should suit the #59 Kingsford Hickory Ford Fusion.

Marcos Ambrose – #59 Kingsford Hickory Ford Fusion

“We are expecting better things in Las Vegas,” said Ambrose.

“We go into Las Vegas with some information up our sleeves because of the test there in late January. At the test we had the car working well and I felt like we had something good going for this race.

“Last time here we ran very well, qualified towards the front and chipped away at a result during the race and ended up with a top 10 finish.

“I’d like to think we can do a similar thing here this weekend, or go even better.

“I like the track here and it’s a place where you can come through the pack when you get a good rhythm going.

“I think a lot of the ‘punters’ in Las Vegas feel the same way about the tables in the casinos. Once you’re on a streak things seem to go your way …

“A good finish this weekend will be important, so we are putting in a massive effort for Las Vegas. Most people in Las Vegas hope for luck on the tables. For us, we need it on the race track.”