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MARCOS Ambrose finally justified his risky move to race in the US last night, finishing third in the NASCAR-style Craftsman Trucks series at Kansas Speedway.
The Tasmanian, who gave up a prized V8 Supercars drive with the Stone Brothers Racing Ford team last year to go oval racing in the US, made up 11 positions after his final pit stop to claim his first podium finish in the NASCAR stock car formula's feeder series.
Ambrose had failed to break into the top 20 in seven starts in the Team Australia Ford F-150 until he finished 18th at his last start in Milwaukee.
But after qualifying fourth the 29-year-old rookie stayed in touch with the leaders for much of the 250km race.
"This is what we came over here to do," Ambrose said.
"We had a great start. I went around the outside of everybody and led the whole field for those first laps.
"We drifted back a bit and let a few guys through. We just worked on getting the pit strategy right and waiting for the track to come to us.
"After our last stop we found ourselves in about 14th position, but the truck was good towards the end and we made up a lot of ground."
The race was won by Terry Cook from fellow Ford driver Rick Crawford.
Ambrose's third place was the first top-five finish by a non-American in seven years.
The two-time V8 Supercars champion said he was becoming accustomed to the less sophisticated stock car.
"I'm learning all the time over here and the set-up is crucial," Ambrose said.
Ambrose's next race is in Kentucky on the weekend.
"The next week could be tough, but whatever happens next week we have to enjoy this result now," he said.
go you good thing
The Tasmanian, who gave up a prized V8 Supercars drive with the Stone Brothers Racing Ford team last year to go oval racing in the US, made up 11 positions after his final pit stop to claim his first podium finish in the NASCAR stock car formula's feeder series.
Ambrose had failed to break into the top 20 in seven starts in the Team Australia Ford F-150 until he finished 18th at his last start in Milwaukee.
But after qualifying fourth the 29-year-old rookie stayed in touch with the leaders for much of the 250km race.
"This is what we came over here to do," Ambrose said.
"We had a great start. I went around the outside of everybody and led the whole field for those first laps.
"We drifted back a bit and let a few guys through. We just worked on getting the pit strategy right and waiting for the track to come to us.
"After our last stop we found ourselves in about 14th position, but the truck was good towards the end and we made up a lot of ground."
The race was won by Terry Cook from fellow Ford driver Rick Crawford.
Ambrose's third place was the first top-five finish by a non-American in seven years.
The two-time V8 Supercars champion said he was becoming accustomed to the less sophisticated stock car.
"I'm learning all the time over here and the set-up is crucial," Ambrose said.
Ambrose's next race is in Kentucky on the weekend.
"The next week could be tough, but whatever happens next week we have to enjoy this result now," he said.
go you good thing
