Typically, drivers making their first career start at the Bristol Motor Speedway struggle to bring the car home in one piece.  One of the most demanding and physical tracks on the Sprint Cup Series schedule, Bristol pushes drivers to the edge of their ability and has been known to tear up many a race car.  Breaking the trend, Australian-native Marcos Ambrose scored his first top-10 of the season in his first go-round at the ‘World’s Fastest Half Mile.’

Following a strong qualifying run (13th), Ambrose went to work early moving up through the field.  By staying out under the first caution on Lap 28, Ambrose restarted the race in the third position and refused to give in to those behind him with fresh Goodyear rubber.

Hitting pit road for the first time on Lap 64, the Frank Kerr-led crew made adjustments to the No. 47 Little Debbie Toyota.  Restarting the race from the 11th-spot, Ambrose was able to keep his team in contention and continued his charge to the front.  

By the 100-lap mark, Ambrose was solidly in the top-10 and looking for more. Breaking into the top-5 once again on Lap 123, the 32-year-old driver refused to give up his spot and remained in the top-5 for much of the afternoon, battling the likes of Jeff Gordon and teammate David Reutimann.

“It just feels great to be up there racing with those guys, passing Jeff Gordon,” Ambrose admitted. “I mean, he’s just a hero of mine.  I’ve just watched him forever and just admired him so much.  It’s just a lot of fun.  I’m learning the craft and hopefully these kind of runs will help me cement my reputation in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with my fellow drivers to show that I can do it.”

Having the best run of the 2009 season, Ambrose’s day began to go south when he radioed Kerr on Lap 342 reporting a problem under the hood.  After running strong all day, Ambrose described that the engine sounded good but had no power.  With a lack of power the No. 47 began to slip back through the field as Ambrose did all he could to hang on.

“The car was great, but it was hitting the ground too hard,” Ambrose explained.  “It’s just a shame we had engine problems because we had a top five finish in our grasps. This is my very first COT race at a short track -- first time at Bristol in a COT and I’m just really excited with the result today and hopefully it leads to better things. I can’t wait to get to Martinsville.”

Coming home tenth, the second-year driver scored his career best finish on an oval and his first top-10 of the 2009 season.  His impressive run jumped the team four spots up the series standing to 24th and has given this young organization some much needed momentum.