Marcos Ambrose has had mechanical problems halt his progress for the second consecutive week after failing to finish the Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California today.

Ambrose started 26th in the 500-mile race aboard his #47 Armor All-backed car from JTG Daugherty Racing, but struggled early and eventually went down a lap.

As the car improved Ambrose was able to climb back towards the front and in the second half of the race it looks as thought the Australian was on-track for a top 20 finish.

But Ambrose began to report worrying temperatures from his water and engine temperature gauges and eventually, the overheating engine sent him to the garage area and out of the race.

Ambrose was classified in 35th position in today’s race and now sits 39th in the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings, following an engine failure last week at the Daytona 500.

“There is not much you can say,” said Ambrose.

“We really wanted to gets some good points on the board today but that wasn’t to be.

“Our entire team is working extremely hard. We will have to have a look at things and ensure we are able to have a strong run at Las Vegas.

“I like the Las Vegas track so we will have to go there next week and put in our best performance.

“It’s a long season but this is not the start you want. It’s going to be very important for us to get a heap of points in Vegas.”

Defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson won today’s Auto Club 500 ahead of Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton.

Ambrose will look to get his season back on track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada next weekend.

RESULTS: Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway
Race 2 of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
1.    #48    Jimmie Johnson    250 laps
2.    #29    Kevin Harvick
3.    #31    Jeff Burton
4.    #5    Mark Martin
5.    #20    Joey Logano
6.    #2    Kurt Busch
7.    #17    Matt Kenseth
8.    #33    Clint Bowyer
9.    #14    Tony Stewart
10.    #16    Greg Biffle
35.    #47    Marcos Ambrose 170 laps

2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Standings
After Race 2 of 36
1.    Kevin Harvick    331
2.    Clint Bowyer    312
3.    Greg Biffle    304
4.    Jamie McMurray    302
5.    Jeff Burton    300
6.    Mark Martin    297
7.    Matt Kenseth    288
8.    David Reutimann    273
9.    Joey Logano    263
10.    Carl Edwards    262
39.    Marcos Ambrose 98

NEXT RACE:
Sunday 28 February 2010
The Shelby American
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas, Nevada

TV TIMES:
United States: FOX – 3:00pm US Eastern
Australia: FOX Sports 1 – 6:00am AEDST