The Low Down On The Driver From Down Under

http://blogs.news-journalonline.com/motorheads/2009/08/the-low-down-on-the-driver-from-down-under.html

Life is hitting on all eight cylinders for Sprint Cup Series newcomer Marcos Ambrose, the Australian driver who is quickly creating a fan base in the NASCAR Nation.

With his easy manner and Crocodile Dundee charm and recent racing success, Ambrose is gaining more exposure and appeal among stock-car fans while attracting sponsorship.

Ambrose races the No. 47 Toyota for JTG Daugherty Racing, owned by Tad and Jodi Geschickter and Brad Daugherty, an ESPN racing commentator. The cars are prepared under the Michael Waltrip Racing banner.

Ambrose's success translates into marketing dollars, so it came as no surprise when Kimberly-Clark inked a deal to be one of his primary sponsors in the 2010 season. Don Quigley, a division president at K-C, put this all into corporate speak.

2009 Watkins Glen Aug NNS race Marcos Ambrose Victory Lane Vertical.jpg

"The business model that Tad and his organization have put together creates an ideal partnership for Kimberly-Clark and, most of all, our retail partners we work with on the motorsports program," Quigley said. "The race team is clearly focused on delivering results for its sponsor partners both on the racetrack and at retail."

Ambrose, who hails from Tasmanian, came to this country to drive in the Camping World Truck Series in 2006 and has worked his way up the competition ladder. He did two years in the Nationwide Series before getting this Cup ride.

He's been getting a lot of attention lately for his on-track performance. In his last seven starts, Ambrose has three top-10 and two top-five finishes. Earning show honors at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night was particularly impressive.

Ambrose crossed the line behind race winner Kyle Busch and runner-up Mark Martin, who are both gunning for Chase eligibility.

"Just a wonderful night for me," Ambrose said. "My first year in the Cup Series. To be racing with Mark in his 1000th start, racing with Kyle Busch, who will probably go down in history as one of the best of all time, I just feel privileged to be out there and running with them.

"Great day for me. Great night for my sponsors. Just really thrilled. First-year team, first-year driver. To be running up there like we did tonight is pretty special. Dale (Earnhardt Jr.) behind me, Greg Biffle beside me. I am good friends with Greg."

Ambrose hasn't been around NASCAR for long, but already knows the deal about race drivers. If a driver starts to lose altitude on the performance sheet, they disappear from sight.

Thumbnail image for 2009 Watkins Glen Aug NSCS practice Marcos Ambrose cockpit.jpg

"I don't feel like I'm comfortable," Ambrose said of the future. "I don't feel like I'm safe in the sport, I don't. Consistency is an issue for me. I have good runs like this and then I'll back it up like last week and run 35th. I don't feel secure.

"I feel privileged to be driving for Jodi and Tad. They have given me a chance of a lifetime and I want to pay them back as much as I can. We're just thrilled to be in the sport."

Up to this point, Ambrose has forged his own way through the sport. He had to prove himself every step of the way. He knows he's at the intersection of it-was-fun-while-it-lasted and long-lasting-career. Right now, he appears to be moving forward.

"I didn't ask anything from anybody," he said. "I didn't expect to be given any breaks. I didn't want any special treatment. I knew I had to learn from scratch, fight my way up through the categories.

"I've finished top 10 both years in the Nationwide Series with a limited budget against the big Cup teams. Really proud of what we've done. We've kept growing, kept moving forward.

"We haven't finished. We announced a wonderful sponsor today. In a time where sponsorships are dropping and teams are reducing what they're doing, we're growing. It's just very exciting time for us."

FIRST PHOTO: Marcos Ambrose in Victory Lane after winning the Nationwide Series race at Watkins Glen International. (Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

SECOND PHOTO: Ambrose is all smiles inside his race car. (Elsa/Getty Images)

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