NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Marcos Ambrose will leave JTG Daugherty Racing at the end of the 2010 season, according to a release issued by the team Tuesday.

Ambrose has been with JTG Daugherty Racing for the past five years, making his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut with the team at Martinsville Speedway in 2006. The Launceston, Tasmania Australia native moved to the Nationwide Series with JTG for two seasons before entering the Sprint Cup Series.

“It has been a great five year journey for me and JTG Daugherty Racing,” Ambrose said in the release. “I am proud of being their driver and of what we have been able to accomplish together. I want to personally thank Tad, Jodi and Brad and the entire race team for everything they have done. Our plan is to complete the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season with the same desire and commitment and end our relationship the same way it started with a positive attitude and the willingness to win. I will do everything I can to help JTG Daugherty transition into next year with their new driver.

“After five years, I personally felt it was time for a change,” Ambrose continued. “I have no firm plans of what will come next for me and my career. I would like to continue in NASCAR and finish off what I started, but I have not discounted returning to Australia. I’m grateful to JTG Daugherty Racing for giving me an opportunity to become a NASCAR driver and I wish them the best in the future.”

Tad Geschickter, co-owner of JTG Daugherty Racing, says the team will continue their search for victories for the balance of 2010 and beyond.

“JTG Daugherty Racing and our sponsors are obviously huge Marcos Ambrose fans and we are disappointed to see him leave after five great years of building a program together from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, to the Nationwide Series, and into the Sprint Cup Series,” said Tad Geschickter. “Marcos is a friend and he is a great talent. He will be an asset to his next team."

“While we hate to see him move on at the end of the season, we will remain focused on winning races with Marcos,” Geschickter continued.  "We are excited about our company's development. We have NASCAR’s greatest and most loyal sponsors, a growing fan base, and a steadily improving race team.”

Ambrose is currently 27th in the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings.

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