Marcos Ambrose is hoping a reversal of his wretched luck will turn his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series campaign around this weekend, as the Series touches down at Chicagoland Speedway for the LifeLock.com 400.Since the end of April, Ambrose has been taken out in the final laps of three races while in strong points paying positions, each time an innocent bystander in the ‘big one’ multi-car accidents.
Last weekend at Daytona International Speedway, Ambrose was on track for a solid top-15 finish when a 20 car melee broke loose directly in front of his Kingsford Charcoal Toyota Camry, eliminating him from the race in sight of the finish.
Chicagoland Speedway sees the second consecutive Saturday night race, on the roundest oval on the NASCAR schedule.
While the other high banked ovals on the NASCAR schedule feature at least one straight section, Chicagoland Speedway features a unique curve for its entire 1.5mile/2.41km circumference.
With a never ending left hand corner for 400 miles, drivers have their work cut out to stay on top of the competition.
“Chicagoland Speedway is hard work, but we’re definitely up for the challenge,” Ambrose said.
“Traditionally these intermediate ovals have been a weak point for us, but we have been working very hard at it, and that is starting to pay off.
“The last short oval we ran at was Loudon, and we came home with a 13th place finish, and last year at Chicagoland we were 11th.
“These events are always tough, you have to keep chipping away at the set up, and good pit strategy is crucial to keep you on the lead lap.
“Our season has been incredibly frustrating; we’ve been so close on so many occasions to picking up some big results, for it only to be taken from us at the finish.
“But we’ve got to keep working, get ourselves out in front ahead of any wrecks that happen when the other drivers get desperate at the end of the race.
“After Chicagoloand we move to some tracks that we’ve done well on in the past, Indianapolis, Pocono and Watkins Glen, so there are plenty of opportunities still available to pick up that first win.
“NASCAR is the best and toughest competition in the world, it’s hard to crack, but we’re giving it everything we’ve got.”
The race this weekend will be broadcast live on Fox Sports from 8:30am EST on Sunday, check your local guides for broadcast and replay details.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Preview
Chicagoland Speedway
Track Distance: 1.5 miles/2.41km
Track Type: Intermediate D-Shaped Oval
Crowd Capacity: 76,812
Last time at Chicagoland Speedway
LifeLock.com 400- Winner Mark Martin
Marcos Ambrose finishing position- 11th
Other Marcos Ambrose Results at Chicagoland Speedway
NASCAR Nationwide Series
2008: 15th
2007: 37th
NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings (after race 18 of 36)
1. Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet)- 2684 points
2. Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet)- 2472
3. Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet)- 2459
4. Kurt Busch (Dodge)- 2439
5. Denny Hamlin (Toyota)- 2400
6. Kyle Busch (Toyota)- 2376
7. Matt Kenseth (Ford)- 2322
8. Jeff Burton (Chevrolet)- 2319
9. Tony Stewart (Chevrolet)- 2251
10. Greg Biffle (Ford)- 2234
11. Dale Earnhardt Jnr- 2177
12. Carl Edwards (Ford)- 2170
27. Marcos Ambrose (Toyota)- 1660
Australian TV Guide
Check local guides for regional viewing times
Daytona Race Replays
One HD (Hosted by Marcos Ambrose)- Friday July 9th, 3:30pm – 4:30pm
One HD (Hosted by Marcos Ambrose)- Saturday July 10th, 8:30am – 9:30am
Qualifying
One HD- Saturday July 10th, 11:50pm – Sunday July 11th, 1:10am
Race
Fox Sprts 3 (Plus Fox Sports 3HD)- Sunday July 11th, 8:30am – 1:00pm
Race Replays
Fox Sports 2 (Plus Fox Sports 2 HD)- Monday July 12th, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
One HD (Hosted by Marcos Ambrose)- Tuesday July 13th, 8:30pm – 9:30pm
One HD (Hosted by Marcos Ambrose)- Thursday July 15th, 9:00am – 10:00am
For further information on Marcos Ambrose, visit www.marcosambrose.com.au.
