Ambrose Signs NASCAR Deal
AAP 21/11/05
www.smh.com.au
Dual V8 Supercar champion Marcos Ambrose has signed a multi-year driver development deal aimed at easing him into NASCAR racing in the US.
The Tasmanian Pirtek Ford racer will drive with Wood Brothers/JTG Racing in the US, running a Ford F-150 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series next season.
He is expected to then step up to one of the team's Ford Fusions in the NASCAR Busch Series and Nextel Cup series.
Wood Brothers is the most successful team in NASCAR's premier series and the most winning team in Ford Racing NASCAR history.
Past Wood Brothers drivers include NASCAR greats David Person, Neil Bonnett, Cale Yarborough, Buddy Baker and Ricky Rudd.
Ambrose, who will leave for the US in January, said he was looking forward to "the next phase of my career."
"It's great to get this deal finalised before the final V8 Supercar race at Phillip Island next week," Ambrose said.
"I want to end the season on a high with a win and who knows, maybe a third title.
Team owner Eddie Wood said Ambrose had proved during testing that he could adapt quickly to the new cars.
"Marcos has quite a racing resume," Wood said.
"We will start him in the Craftsman Truck Series next season and watch his development closely."
Meanwhile, Supercar rookie Will Davison has signed a long-term contract with D
ck Johnson Racing and will replace veteran Glenn Seton in the No.18 Ford Falcon next season.
Johnson, a five-time Australian champion, described Davison as "probably the most exciting young driving talent we've seen in V8 Supercars since the arrival of Marcos Ambrose."
"Since he tested with us early in the year he has impressed," Johnson said.
"Will did a fantastic job at Queensland Raceway in the middle of the year, and did a very good job at Sandown and Bathurst."
Davison said the deal was "a dream come true."
"All my life I have wanted to be a professional race driver and to now have that opportunity, and with D
ck Johnson's team, is fantastic," he said.