20/6/2009
Marcos Ambrose has scored his best Sprint Cup Series starting position with third fastest in qualifying for the Toyota/SaveMart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California today.

Earlier in the day Ambrose was fastest in first practice at the 1.99-mile road course, the site of Ambrose top-level NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut last season.

Two further practice sessions will be held tomorrow, before the 110-lap race is stage on Sunday (Monday morning Australian time).

Brian Vickers won pole position at Infineon Raceway today ahead of defending race winner Kyle Busch and Ambrose.

WHAT MARCOS HAD TO SAY …

QUESTION: How good does this feel?

"I think I left too much on the table,” said Ambrose.

“I just got a little anxious, just took a couple of curves a bit too strong and just didn't get the clean exits like I needed to.

“You know, I'm so proud of my guys. We've had a great year so far. We're looking to really cement ourselves here in this championship as a main player. We're getting towards it every single week, I get better and better. I'm just really proud for my team to give them this back.

“Kingsford and Clorox has its head office out here in Oakland, California and we have a hundred guests coming out on Sunday so at least I'll start in the front half of the field for them to get the race started.”

QUESTION: How jacked up are you for Sunday?

“I'm trying to keep a lid on it to be honest with you. It's very easy to get too anxious because your expectations are high, so for me, I expect the worse and when anything goes better than that it's marvelous.

“So I'm just going to go into Sunday very relaxed. Try to put together some laps. I broke a gearbox for the Wood Brothers last year, which I still have nightmares about. I want to make sure I look after the car for the first half of the race and bring it home.”

QUESTION: How do you think the double file restarts will be here on Sunday?

“It's going to spice it up, there's no doubt about that. I think there's going to be a clear outside groove that is going to be more traction off the line. I think it's going to make it very interesting going into the first corner.

“I'm sure as the race goes on there are going to be a few cautions as the restarts are coming everyone will start to jostle for position late in the race.

“That being said, I've had a lot of races where we do start two-by-two. You can do it, but it's going to
be entertaining for the fans.

“I'm sure guys are going to have an advantage on the inside. We'll see how it all plays out. I think we are always waiting to see how it looks and feels before we make any strong comments on it.”

RESULTS: Sprint Cup Qualifying
1. #83 Brian Vickers 1:16.475
2. #18 Kyle Busch 1:16.690
3. #47 Marcos Ambrose 1:16.918
4. #14 Tony Stewart 1:17:000
5. #9 Kasey Kahne 1:17.040
6. #1 Martin Truex Jr 1:17.048
7. #39 Ryan Newman 1:17.076
8. #19 Elliott Sadler 1:17.081
9. #08 Boris Said 1:17.084
10. #17 Matt Kenseth 1:17.097

2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver’s Standings - After Race 15 of 36
1. Tony Stewart 2189
2. Jeff Gordon 2142
3. Jimmie Johnson 2047
4. Kurt Busch 1961
5. Ryan Newman 1934
6. Carl Edwards 1927
7. Greg Biffle 1913
8. Mark Martin 1868
9. Kyle Busch 1860
10. Denny Hamlin 1849
11. Matt Kenseth 1848
12. Jeff Burton 1810
20. Marcos Ambrose 1539

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