OzRacingWrap

Marcos Ambrose's late season charge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series continued today, with his second ninth place finish from as many starts in the Hollywood Casino 400.

Taking advantage of a green-white-chequered flag finish, Ambrose vaulted from outside of the top-15 within two laps to claim his tenth top-ten of the season.

"We stole one there," Ambrose said.

"We've had some really good runs and we stayed out.

"It is good to get a bit lucky at the end there; we really worked hard all day.

"The DEWALT team really kept trying some stuff and actually got it going pretty good there the last 80 laps and were able to get back on the lead lap and back in the top-10."

Starting from the 21st position, Ambrose held station in the early running until the first caution flew on lap 20 when Bobby Labonte spun through the main straight grass.

Crew chief Todd Parrott elected to only take on two tyres during the ensuing pit stop, which leap frogged Ambrose up to fourth place for the restart.

The two-tyre strategy however failed to pay dividends, as the car slipped back down the running order to 21st by the time the next pit stops occurred on lap 66 of 267.

The first caution for debris appeared on lap 83, with a long green flag stint including a round of pit stops on lap 129 following.

Ambrose fell a lap down on the leaders prior to further green flag stops on lap 171, with the yellow lights finally flashing on lap 219 when Landon Cassill also took a spin through the grass.

While running in 18th position, Ambrose received a fortunate break, with a debris caution slowing the field on lap 239, gifting the Australian a free pass back onto the lead lap.

Another lucky break befall the Richard Petty Motorsports Ford Fusion with only two scheduled laps remaining, when Jeff Gordon blew his engine, necessitating a green-white-chequered flag finish.

At the green flag, Ambrose was classified in 15th, but he dug deep to come across the finish line in ninth.

The race was won by Jimmie Johnson, with the five-time champion taking his second consecutive victory in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Next week the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup continues with the running of theBank of America 500 from the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Hollywood Casino 400 Review - Race Results

1. Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet)

2. Kasey Kahne (Toyota)

3. Brad Keselowski (Dodge)

4. Matt Kenseth (Ford)

5. Carl Edwards (Ford)

6. Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet)

7. Clint Bowyer (Chevrolet)

8. Greg Biffle (Ford)

9. Marcos Ambrose (Ford)

10. Mark Martin (Chevrolet)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Standings (After race 30 of 36)

1. Carl Edwards (Ford) 2161 points

2. Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet) 2160

3. Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet) 2157

4. Brad Keselowski (Dodge) 2150

5. Matt Kenseth (Ford) 2149

6. Kurt Busch (Dodge) 2145

7. Tony Stewart (Chevrolet) 2142

8. Kyle Busch (Toyota) 2142

9. Dale Earnhardt Jnr (Chevrolet) 2118

10. Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet) 2114

20. Marcos Ambrose (Ford) - 782