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From the Marbles

Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:22 pm EDT

The Daily Dose: Dear Marcos

By Bob Margolis

Marcos Ambrose seems like a pretty nice guy when you meet him.

When he's behind the wheel of a race car, a Tasmanian Devil comes out.

This guy is a terror behind the wheel.

The former Australian Supercar V8 champion made an auspicious Sprint Cup debut on Sunday, throwing his Wood Brothers Ford Fusion into every corner as if it was the final turn in the final race of season.

I was amazed that his car and his brakes lasted as long as they did.

Although he was scored with a 42nd place finish, Ambrose had a top-10 car that he had planned to muscle into a top-three or better finish.

Along the way, Ambrose produced more than his share of fender rubs while introducing himself to the fraternity of drivers he hopes to join in the near future. He couldn't have made many friends.

I understand he was trying to make an impression. It might have been the wrong one.

It will be interesting to see the reception he gets from the rest of the Cup drivers in Loudon, when things get back to a more normal routine for teams and drivers.

Dear Marcos:

A bump and a push on a road course will send you off track and lose you valuable track position.

A bumper into your rear quarter panel on an oval will end your day.

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14 Comments

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  1. kinggeorge
    1. Posted by kinggeorge Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:21 pm EDT

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    The spin by JPM was not Ambrose' fault. Ambrose had the inside line and JPM did not realize that he (Ambrose) made such an aggressive but clean pass and was underneath him. JPM cut across his nose and spun himself.
  2. Ham Sandwich
    2. Posted by Ham Sandwich Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:12 pm EDT

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    Perhaps replace Australian Ambrose with New Zealand's Steve Williams (caddy for Tiger Woods). Sponsors in addition to Valvoline could be Yahoo! Sports From the Marbles and Gatorade Tiger.
  3. hugsx5
    3. Posted by hugsx5 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:31 pm EDT

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    What's this? NASCAR and Golf collide? That can't be right!
  4. kinggeorge
    4. Posted by kinggeorge Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:21 pm EDT

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    Cats and Dogs sleeping together.....where is ZULE?
  5. Ham Sandwich
    5. Posted by Ham Sandwich Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:12 pm EDT

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    NASCAR and Golf, go together like peanut butter and chocolate. Mmmmm.
  6. danthenascarfan
    6. Posted by danthenascarfan Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

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    Why are you down on Ambrose? He made a clean, aggressive inside move to pass and Pablo cut him off. If you want to lay into a driver for a major screw-up talk about Kevin Harvik. As experienced a cup veteran as he is, what in the stinkin tuna was he trying to do when he took out MacMurry and Stewart near the end of the race. Think Kevin made friends and improved his rep with that effort. What Ambrose did was nothing compared to Kevin's bone head move at a critical time in the race. I don't think Ambrose has much to worry about at Loudon. Even if his move had been stupid, most drivers are not all that enthused with Pablo anyway. If anything, probably most of the drivers will like Ambrose even more.
  7. kinggeorge
    7. Posted by kinggeorge Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:21 pm EDT

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    danthenascarfan---I'm a big Harvick fan and I have to agree with you. Kevin is going to be reliving that one for quite awhile (I'm sure Tony will be reminding him every chance he gets). Stewart was visibly upset after the race but withheld criticism of his friend which was admirable, choosing instead to tongue lash the reporter.
  8. Jet
    8. Posted by Jet Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:56 pm EDT

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    kg - Can you imagine the private conversation between Kevin & Tony after they see the tape, lol ? Tony says, Kev buddy, you're 3 cars behind me man and you're still able to wreck me, haha It's too bad it happened and I don't think those were Kevin's intentions but, they'll get over it. I kinda feel bad for both of them,,,
  9. Jet
    9. Posted by Jet Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:56 pm EDT

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    hugs #3 - Nascar & golf ??? Gee how could that happen? lol
  10. Reven
    10. Posted by Reven Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:15 pm EDT

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    No, Ambrose didn't have a top ten car. He had top ten talent. If Bill Elliott or Jon Wood was driving the #21 this past weekend, it would've been a success to qualify in the top 40.
  11. shamrock
    11. Posted by shamrock Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    Ambrose better go back down under before he'sput under!
  12. DebbieR
    12. Posted by DebbieR Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    ambrose did a fantastic job! anyone that has watched nascar at infineon for the past 19 years knows very well that to finish in the top 10 you must be aggressive, even spinning cars ahead of you. it is sad but happens every year, well i dunno if kyle did but i try not to pay too much attention to him.
    the punt on jpm was jpm's fault for diving to the apex as he did.
  13. mcshooter
    13. Posted by mcshooter Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:31 pm EDT

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    beyond you wrecked who i just wish nascar could find someone who could sing at least one .RACE BEFORE SEASONS END
  14. capejoty
    14. Posted by capejoty Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    Well said danthenascarfan. JPM is a menace. Also to reven, you are spot on. Ambrose is a real talent. He might go allright at New Hampshire too.

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