AUSTRALIAN NASCAR HISTORY TAKES TO THE TRACK

Australian NASCAR history takes to the track – Photo: Supplied

A rare piece of Australian motorsport history has turned a wheel for the first time at Queensland Raceway.

By RHYS VANDERSYDE

The Ford Fusion Marcos Ambrose claimed his first win in NASCAR competition took to the track for the first time in Australia yesterday.

Used by Ambrose to win Watkins Glen in 2008, the car turned its first laps at Queensland Raceway having not been driven on a race track since it left victory lane at the US circuit.

The #59 STP Ford had spent more than a decade storage in an old workshop in Charlotte North Carolina before being mechanically rebuilt last year and shipped to Australia, where it has been based at Norwell Motorplex.

Brodie Kostecki had the honour of driving the car, having previously competed in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series (in 2013 and 2014), which has been put up for auction by owner Brett “Crusher” Murray.

“That was a blast,” said Kostecki.

“You forget just how loud and how cool these cars really are.”

“When ‘Crusher’ (Brett Murray) asked me to get involved in this project I couldn’t believe my luck. With COVID going on it is difficult to get the US, but Crusher brought a bit of America to me.”

“The car was started once after its rebuild in the US and basically it fired up straight away after a few systems checks today. We didn’t even have to charge the batteries.”

“I have driven similar cars in the past, but to be given the keys today to a car with such incredible history is something pretty special.”

“The really cool thing is that the car is almost identical to the way it came off the track back in 2008 with every scratch, rub, dent and bump.”

“Whoever buys this rig is going to be getting a pure race car with a pedigree that can be matched by no other car.”

“There will only ever be one car that was taken to NASCAR victory lane by an Australian for the first time and this is it.”

The STP Ford has not been touched cosmetically since appearing in victory lane at the Zippo 200 and still has the remaining windscreen tear off strips that were unused during the race.

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