After enjoying a bit of endless summer in Australia this offseason, Marcos Ambrose was poised to have a strong start to the 2010 NASCAR season.
It wasn't meant to be. In a race riddled with red flags and cautions, Marcos was forced to sit on the sidelines due to a terminal oil leak early in the race.
"We got an oil leak that was terminal," said Ambrose.
"It’s just too bad for us. We were running great just riding around just biding our time just waiting for all to settle down.
"It just hurts the year when you don’t get off to a good start. The whole off-season was all about let’s just get off to a solid start and build a solid championship run from that but it’s not going to be."
Ambrose finished the race a disappointing 41st. Ambrose wasn't the only driver who was sidelined by mechanical issues. Jimmie Johnson finished 35th after having problems with his rear axle.
"We just went through the bad part of the 90 percent. We were out of the race about lap 80. We had a great Speedweeks though and the race was going as planned. We were just riding around waiting for the right time to go to the front.
"It’s just really unfortunate because it sets you back. It’s like giving a race away before the season even starts."
But Ambrose puts into perspective. "You take your lumps as they come and I’d say that racing is 90 percent frustration and 10 percent jubilation," said Ambrose.
Putting the Daytona disappointment behind him, Marcos Ambrose looks to improve in California.
"Last week I was handing out roses for Kroger and this weekend we have Armor All on the car,” said Ambrose.
"We’re hoping to rebound from what happened to us last weekend."
Ambrose and his JTG Daugherty Racing team are ready to turn around the Daytona disappointment by coming to California ready and prepared.
"We’re still focused on getting the season off to a solid start and really you can’t control when bad luck strikes," said Ambrose.
"Sure, it knocks us around a bit, but there are some positives to take from the two weeks we had in Daytona. I’m a bit stubborn though. We’re here to win races. We’ve got to get to the finish line. We’ll head into California with the same focus and concentration to get our season going."
"The last time I had Armor All as a primary sponsor on one of my race cars was for the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. We dominated and came so close to a victory. We want to do them proud on Sunday, " stated Ambrose.
California has not always been kind to Ambrose in the past. Last October Ambrose finished 23rd in the field.
"Ask me how I feel about racing at Auto Club Speedway after Sunday," said Ambrose.
"I don’t want to jinx ourselves. I will say that we’ve really matured since the last time there. It is a testament to all the guys. There’s no reason why we can’t win races as a group and be a contender every week."
With the a little help from his team mates and a strong car, Ambrose has what it takes to have a rebound finish in California.
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