How Ambrose paved the way

This weekend Shane van Gisbergen has honoured Marcos Ambrose, who was the first Aussie to crack the NASCAR code.

Talk about a pioneer.

Marcos Ambrose was diving deeply into the unknown when he parked his Supercars career in 2005 for a shot at the big time in the USA.

He had a pair of tin-top titles, but still had yet to claim the big one at Bathurst, when he rolled the dice on a career in NASCAR.
But that was, and still is, typical of Ambrose.

He bites off more than he can chew, then chews like crazy.

The first time he abandoned his home in Tasmania he was a 22-year-old on the traditional route to Europe, hoping to make it to Formula One up the single-seater ladder.

But he never had enough money, despite his talent, commitment, and a family connection to the Van Diemen world of Formula Ford through his father – and company founder – Ross.

Marcos Ambrose leads four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon at Daytona in the 2013 Coke Zero 400. Photo by Eric Gilbert / Motorsport.com

So he returned to Australia and rebounded into V8 Supercars, where he made an instant impact and rattled lots of front-running cages.

His battles with Mark Skaife, classic Ford-versus-Holden stuff, were brilliant. I can still recall the time they collided at Oran Park, on the first lap of Friday practice, and Ambrose also laughed as he remembered it.

But if this is too much of a history lesson for you, let’s fast-forward to today. Shane van Gisbergen is a rising star of NASCAR, Brodie Kostecki also has his long-term sights set on the USA, and Cam Waters is working hard to get more starts in the NASCAR truck series.

They are all following Ambrose.

“There is no barrier. You’ve just got to be good,” Ambrose told AUTO ACTION, talking about the gold rush to NASCAR.

“You’ve got to find opportunities. And I worked really hard to get opportunities. The only reason it worked out was I showed enough promise in the early races for them to keep me on.

“It’s a journey. You’re not going to do it in a week.”

Marcos Ambrose celebrating his victory at Watkins Glen in 2012. Image: LAT Photo USA

It’s ironic that one of his hobbies was gold panning, because he definitely struck it rich during his time in the ’States.

The early days in trucks were not easy, but eventually he became a road-course specialist with a string of victories in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series.

Ambrose never got a front-running ride at the top level, but he was solid and did plenty to keep his place for nearly a decade.

These days, after returning home for a failed comeback in Supercars – he pulled the pin because he was not competitive – he is concentrating on his family, as he teaches his wife Sonja to play golf and supports the early racing careers of his daughters Adelaide and Tabitha. He has also helped to create a world-class holiday resort in Tasmania while battling some health problems.

“I love golf It’s a mental challenge. And a personal quest,” Ambrose said.

“I am enjoying golf again I’m playing with Sonja; and dad is 84 and he’s off 18. It’s not easy to get beaten by an 84-year-old.

“In this era of my life and what’s getting wrong, it’s a nice distraction.

Marcos Ambrose takes the checkered flag to win a NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Canada, Image: LAT South

“We’re just trying to give the girls a really good life experience. They are doing some racing now and Adam Macrow is helping out.

“Adelaide is younger and a participator. Tabitha is having a go. She’s going to be okay.”

But Ambrose has a new role as the go-to guy for anyone looking at NASCAR.

“They certainly talk to me first. I‘ve had a lot of conversations with a lot drivers,” he said, without naming any names.

“Plenty of people are looking. They are not satisfied with what’s here. It’s not enough for them.”

So what is his advice?

“You have to prove you’re not in the ‘Can’t get it done’ category. They want to see the best guys running hard and going for victories.

“The people who have gone over there are the racer’s racers. You’ve got Cam doing his Sprintcar thing.

Shane van Gisbergen’s Marcos Ambrose tribute livery. Image: Trackhouse

“And Shane is the same. Shane loves racing.

“For both Cam and Shane it’s going to hold them in good stead. You need to race – it’s not a show.

“Brodie has been over there before, and he’s a fantastic driver. He was already over there. We shared the same bank manager!

“He’s already proven on the short tracks. He will go great if he gets the opportunity to go back.”

Ambrose knew it would be tough in the ’States but he had done an incredible amount of research and preparation at home, forged new alliances in NASCAR, and raced hard from day one.

“The word ‘barrier’ never entered my mind. I’d get picked on at the racetrack. People do you wrong. But as soon as you could give it back the same, then you’re in the respect zone,” he said.

“If you’re an exciting driver, and different, the sponsors and team and crew will get behind you.”

Not surprisingly, the 47-year-old is not taking the credit for the gold rush despite his early prospecting work.

“Shane has done more for Australian drivers trying to get there than I ever did. He’s doing a commendable job on the ovals. He’s doing a really fantastic job, and I expect that to continue.”

But he has a word of caution.

“Clearly people are looking for options. They want to get paid more. You’ve only got a small window as a race car driver to get things done.

“But there is not room for everybody. There are a bunch of Americans who want to do it as well.”

Marcos Ambrose in his final NASCAR race at Homestead Miami in 2014. Photo by Eric Gilbert / Motorsport.com

So, what’s the bottom line for any Aussies looking across the Pacific Ocean to NASCAR?

“They love a winner. They love someone having a go.

“America is great like that. They reward and celebrate winners.”

But he also has more words of caution.

“Ken Schrader told me early on, when I was driving for the Wood Brothers: ‘You know my secret? I just don’t cause any trouble. And I’m still here’.

“He was probably 50 and running in the Cup series. So … don’t be a problem. Blend in.

“If you have a bad day, you have to bin it. Don’t blame everyone but the sun. That doesn’t work …” 

Van Gisbergen is racing an Ambrose Watkins Glen tribute livery at Darlington for Throwback Round this weekend.

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