Marcos Ambrose’s unlucky streak at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve continued today in the NASCAR Nationwide Series NAPA Auto Parts 200, with a non-finish after earlier dominating proceedings.Ambrose was the class of the field, continuing his fine form from his past three visits to the Canadian venue, but like his other journeys north of the border, the Australian went home empty handed.
Electrical dramas dropped Ambrose from the race lead, before suspension failure eventually ended his race 23 laps short of the scheduled 74 circuits.
“Well, we certainly gave it a shot out there today,” Marcos Ambrose said.
“We were fast and the car was strong, I’m very proud of the team for putting the deal together this weekend.
“I had to work back through to the lead after the first stop, and it was going so easy out in front.
“Unfortunately the car had an alternator or a battery issue, so I had to turn off all of the fans in the car, which started to overheat the engine.
“The car kept loosing power, and we pitted to change the battery, which basically dropped us out of the running.
“Finally something in the front suspension broke, it was a bad day, we just want to win here so badly.
“We’re trying everything to get that victory here in Canada, but we can’t seem to seal the deal.
“Racing with Jacques (Villeneuve) and Carl today was awesome, they are the best in the business, it’s just a shame that we weren’t there with them at the finish.”
After qualifying on pole position, Ambrose made the jump over Villeneuve on the race start, but he had to repeat the hard work again on lap seven, after an early caution for debris.
The caution was out again shortly after the resumption of racing, with Brian Scott and Alex Kennedy hard against the concrete wall on the back part of the race track.
Joey Logano dropped back after contact with Villeneuve on the next restart, with Ambrose once again leaping ahead of the pack.
The yellow light however was flashing again on lap 12, after a five car accident partially blocked the track, with several of the front runners, including Carl Edwards, taking the opportunity to make an early pit stop.
After rubbing panels with Villeneuve on the restart, Ambrose continued to lead away until pitting on lap 21 during the fourth caution.
Dropping back to 14th position for the restart, Ambrose was on a charge, surviving a panel bashing duel with Kyle Kelley.
A breathtaking move put Ambrose’s Little Debbie Toyota Camry ahead of Villeneuve, before picking off Patrick Carpentier, Paul Menard, Boris Said, Robby Gordon, and finally Edwards for the lead on lap 36.
After clearly having the fastest car on the race track, electrical dramas saw Ambrose drop back into the hands of Edwards, who retook the lead prior to the final round of green flag pit stops.
Subsequent to falling almost two laps behind the race leader Edwards while his battery was replaced, Ambrose’s day ended prematurely when the front suspension broke.
Boris Said won the race in a photo finish from Max Papis, with Villeneuve hot on their heels in a brilliant green-white-chequered flag finish.
The race will be replayed on ONE HD from 8:30pm on Tuesday, check your local guides for broadcast details.
Meanwhile the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns on September 5 at Atlanta Motor Speedway with the Emory Health Care 500, the second last race before the cut-off for the title deciding Chase.
NASCAR Nationwide Series Race Review
NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge Race Results
1. Boris Said (Ford)
2. Max Papis (Chevrolet)
3. Jacques Villeneuve (Toyota)
4. Brad Keselowski (Dodge)
5. Paul Menard (Ford)
6. Joey Logano (Toyota)
7. J.R. Fitzpatrick (Chevrolet)
8. Parker Kligerman (Dodge)
9. Justin Algaier (Dodge)
10. Trevor Blayne (Toyota)
33. Marcos Ambrose (Toyota)
Australian TV Guide
Check local guides for regional viewing times
Race Replays
ONE HD- Monday August 30th, 6:15am – 9:30am
ONE HD- Tuesday August 31st, 8:30pm – 9:30pm
ONE HD- Thursday September 2nd, 8:00am – 11:00am
ONE HD- Friday September 3rd, 5:00am – 6:00am
ONE HD- Saturday September 4th, 7:30am – 8:30am
Next NASCAR Sprint Cup Race
Atlanta Motor Speedway, Emory Health Care 500, September 5th
NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings (after race 24 of 36)
1. Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet)- 3521 points
2. Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet)- 3242
3. Kyle Busch (Toyota)- 3170
4. Carl Edwards (Ford)- 3113
5. Denny Hamlin (Toyota)- 3108
6. Tony Stewart (Chevrolet)- 3107
7. Jeff Burton (Chevrolet)- 3101
8. Matt Kenseth (Ford)- 3095
9. Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet)- 3077
10. Kurt Busch (Dodge)- 3073
11. Greg Biffle (Ford)- 3055
12. Clint Bowyer (Chevrolet)- 2920
26. Marcos Ambrose (Toyota)- 2276
For further information on Marcos Ambrose, visit www.marcosambrose.com.au.
