[vincesanity82]

Former Australian V8 Supercars star and current NASCAR Busch Series regular Marcos Ambrose is set to make his Nextel Cup debut next year.

John Sazymanski, Ford Racing Technology’s director of sponsor development, told the Charlotte Observer that the Blue Oval plans for the Australian to have at least a part-time Cup schedule in ’08, pending on adequate sponsorship being found.

“His work this year has been exceptional,” Sazymanski justified. “He’s progressed, stayed within himself, stayed in the top 10 in points. He’s good with sponsors, good with teams, good on the corporate side and good with the media.

“There is no question he was going to graduate to the Busch Series this season. But he earned it. He earned it on track with everything he did behind the wheel. For us that was critical.”

Ambrose currently sits ninth in the NBS points standings, with four top-10 finishes so far this season.

SPEEDtv.com | Busch Series | BUSCH: Ambrose Set to Move Up in '08 | by <a href=http://www.racer.com> RACER </a> staff

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

Former Australian V8 Supercars star and current NASCAR Busch Series regular Marcos Ambrose is set to make his Nextel Cup debut next year.

John Sazymanski, Ford Racing Technology’s director of sponsor development, told the Charlotte Observer that the Blue Oval plans for the Australian to have at least a part-time Cup schedule in ’08, pending on adequate sponsorship being found.

“His work this year has been exceptional,” Sazymanski justified. “He’s progressed, stayed within himself, stayed in the top 10 in points. He’s good with sponsors, good with teams, good on the corporate side and good with the media.

“There is no question he was going to graduate to the Busch Series this season. But he earned it. He earned it on track with everything he did behind the wheel. For us that was critical.”

Ambrose currently sits ninth in the NBS points standings, with four top-10 finishes so far this season.

SPEEDtv.com | Busch Series | BUSCH: Ambrose Set to Move Up in '08 | by <a href=http://www.racer.com> RACER </a> staff

Exactly the formula required to produce a good Cup driver. Too bad some of our current Cup drivers don't measure up to these standards.

[jks812]

I think he's a good driver and will do good when moved up. Never seen him have a bad interview either.

[Bob Tanner]

I like Marcus' style and think he has oodles of potential. I heard him interviewed this morning and he admits that he still hasn't fully adapted to oval racing. I think I'd like to see him stay in Cup lite another year and do a part-time gig in Cup next year. Then he might go to Cup full time in '09. The only reservation I have about this plan is his age.

I believe BDR and Villeneuve might consider the same thing next season. Again, age might be a determining factor.

Also, have any of you folks who have followed racing for years noticed how much Marcus looks like Parnelli Jones did, during his hey day?

[hank static]

I think its bloody awesome that he's taking his time to learn the ropes, when he left here to go to Nascar he said he had a 5 yr plan to make it, this is only his 2nd and he's making the right moves to head to the big leagues and unlike others he's actually taking time to learn the cars not just thinking he can jump in and be a world beater, Top Job Marcos.

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