Stanley Driver Has Owned Keys to Track Past Two Seasons
CONCORD, N.C. (August 6, 2013) – The past two years, Marcos Ambrose and the No. 9 Stanley Racing team of Richard Petty Motorsports have closed down Watkins Glen International while celebrating in Victory Lane. Ambrose is the defending two-time winner at the road course in Upstate New York and is looking for a three-peat this weekend.
Ambrose looks to be the first driver since Denny Hamlin to three-peat at the same track. Hamlin accomplished the feat in 2009 and 2010 at the Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
With five total NASCAR wins at Watkins Glen, Ambrose is always a threat at the track. He has three wins in the Nationwide Series at The Glen to go with his two Cup victories. In Sprint Cup competition, Ambrose will be making his sixth start at the track. His average finish is second in his five previous starts and has lowest finish is third.
Ambrose will welcome Canadian Tire on the hood of the No.9 this weekend.
Comments from Stanley Ford Fusion Driver Marcos Ambrose:
“Obviously, we feel like we are contenders each time we go to Watkins Glen, and this weekend is no different. I just know what I want in the car, and we have been fortunate enough to get that feel in our Stanley Ford Fusions the past two races. That allows me to race up front, and I have a lot of confidence. Watkins Glen is a really fast track, and I really enjoy it. I know what I need to do to be there at the end.
“Last year was a really great finish. It was stressful, but a lot of fun to battle against Kyle and Brad the last few laps for the win. We were dealing with the elements of the track having oil on it, and we were all sliding all around. It led to an exciting finish, and I’m happy that we came out on top.
“We have had a tough season this year, but this race can very quickly turn it around and put us in contention for a wild card berth in the chase. That’s what our goal is right now. We haven’t given up, and this entire crew keeps fighting hard. I’m proud to be associated with this Richard Petty Motorsports team, and hopefully, we can continue our streak at Watkins Glen this weekend.”
Comments from Crew Chief Drew Blickensderfer on Ambrose at The Glen:
“This is a track where Marcos makes it very easy on me. He knows what he wants in the car all the way down to the steering wheel and shifter ball. It’s just a matter of listening and making the changes Marcos wants. It’s really fun to work a road course with him. You learn so much. He just doesn’t care what others are doing. He really is the leader in the Cup garage when it comes to setting up a car here.
“I feel that this is a weekend that can really turn everything around for us. We can climb into the top-20 in points and be there for a wild card berth. This team has been in that position the last two years, and hopefully, we can be in position again. Then, we can go for more wins and hopefully make the chase.”
Chassis History:
The No. 9 team prepared chassis No. 761 for Sunday’s race. The Stanley team started second and finished seventh with this chassis at Sonoma Raceway earlier this season.
About Richard Petty Motorsports
A performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneurs Andrew Murstein and Douglas Bergeron, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. With a history of over 200 wins and business partnerships with national and global leaders, today the race operation fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Aric Almirola pilots the famous No. 43 Ford Fusion with primary partners Smithfield Foods, U.S. Air Force and STP and Marcos Ambrose drives the No. 9 machine with primary partners Stanley and DEWALT. In addition, Michael Annett wheels the No. 43 Pilot Flying J Ford Mustang full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The team is headquartered in Concord, N.C.
