MARCOS AMBROSE – No. 59 STP Ford Fusion – TALK ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE LAPS. “The second practice was really a waste of time for us with the oil going done and the session starting late. We actually only got two timed laps, so that was disappointing for us. We blew a gearbox up late in the first session just trying to develop me gearbox. I guess we’re lucky that happened today and not tomorrow. But all things considered, I’m really happy with the balance of the car. I think it’s better than last year’s car I had here. The brakes feel like there a little better. We worked on those in the 12 months that we’ve had to get ready for this race. So, fingers crossed, it will be okay.”
THE TIMES IN GENERAL WILL SLOWER THIS AFTERNOON. “When the sun comes out on the race track, traditionally you see it, you can be anywhere in the world. But when that sun gets on the race track, when that UV’s on the race track it does take away the grip from the tires. A guy from a tire company that’s not part of NASCAR once told me as soon as that sun hits the race track, it’s considerable how much grip comes away from the tire. Even if it doesn’t get hotter, just the UV on the race track can really change the way that the tire will grip the surface. So, I’d put it down to that. I felt like the car was on top of the race track there in the second practice session. It wasn’t really gripping like I wanted it to. And we put it down to the weather.”
IS THERE ANYTHING MISSING TO CLAIM THAT FIRST VICTORY TOMORROW? “Right now, I feel I’m in good shape. There are a lot of unknowns. We didn’t quite get enough laps this afternoon to get a good feel on light fuel and old tires to get a good balance on the car. I feel like the brakes are a mystery to us and the competition. I don’t quite know how good [Scott] Pruett is. He seems like he’s right there with us. You know that he’s going to have a good car tomorrow. I just don’t quite know how good he’s got it and there are 42 other cars to worry about as well, not just Scott. We’ve got Villeneuve in there and he’s going to be spanner in the works, for sure. So the competition is an element that I don’t quite know. I feel like our car is good. Could it be better? Yes. Is it better than last year? It definitely is. I just hope we’ve done enough work.”
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT RACING IN THE RAIN? “The first thing is, Goodyear has brought some rain tires for us. Although, I think they’ve been towing them around for about six-and-a-half years. And when I saw them in Mexico at the start of the year, they were already purple. I’m not sure they’re going to be the best tires to run on, but if that’s what NASCAR chooses to do, then I’ll be the first one to jump in my car and get ready to go. I’m used to running in the rain. I feel like I’ve got an advantage over the NASCAR regular drivers, maybe not these road ringers that we have here. But, in general we’re looking pretty good. I think the weather is going to play a part in tomorrow’s race, there’s no doubt about that. You just have to make good choices. Whatever NASCAR decides to do, whatever the weather decides to do, you’ve got to be very versatile with the set-up of your car and your driving style.”