2011: Sprint Cup Series & Nationwide Series
Ambrose announced on 17 August 2010 that he signed a multi-year deal with Richard Petty Motorsports to drive the #9 Stanley/Dewalt tools ford fusion. He finished 37th in his first race with the team, the 2011 Daytona 500, after being involved in "the big one". He did finish the race. He went on to have an impressive race at Phoenix running in the top 10 for most of the day. Ambrose, driving the #9 Stanley Ford Fusion, won the rain delayed Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen on 15 August 2011 to rack up his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Victory by passing Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch with two laps to go. Ambrose further vindicated his road course abilities, backing up under a week later by taking victory at Montreal in the Nationwide Series, during the NAPA Auto Parts 200. The 2011 season continued to be his career best as he recorded 5 top 5 and 12 top 10 finishes. Ambrose finished the 2011 season 19th in the points.
Ambrose returned to Richard Petty Motorsports for 2012; in June, he posted the fastest qualifying speed in NASCAR competition in 25 years, winning his first career Sprint Cup pole at Michigan International Speedway at a speed of 203.241 miles per hour (327.085 km/h), the third fastest pole speed ever in NASCAR.
In August Marcos Ambrose starting 5th in the race at Watkins Glen dominated part of the race but was passed in a three-wide move by Kyle Busch with 20 to go. When the white flag was about to wave he saw that Kyle Busch was slipping in oil; in the entrance to the esses he and Brad Keselowski passed him; Ambrose then saw that Keselowski was slipping in oil too and he took the lead in the final turn from Keselowski and won his second Sprint Cup race. By coincidence, Ambrose and Keselowski had finished this way the previous year (with Ambrose overtaking Keselowski in the last few turns). Ambrose was very emotional about his win due to his father seeing it on television in a hospital for an illness and due to his luck that day. The win moved Ambrose up one position in the standings from 18th to 17th.
In 2012 Marcos Ambrose founded his own team Marcos Ambrose Motorsports in North Carolina with support from cup boss Richard Petty, RPM, and his sponsors Stanley tools, and Dewalt tools. A new driver Ben Rhodes impressed Marcos Ambrose so he (Ambrose) hired him into his team as a driver in UARA Star series.
Ambrose finished 17th in Points in 2012, tying a career best (2009). And will drive the number 9 car for RPM in 2013.
Read more about this topic: Marcos Ambrose
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