Australia’s likeable NASCAR driver, Marcos Ambrose, will be leaving JTG Daugherty Racing at the end of this season.
Ambrose was last in the news when he almost won the Infineon Raceway Sprint Cup race, in June, only to stall on a heart-breaking restart attempt. His best finish in Sprint Cup is a second place at Watkins Glen and two wins there in the Nationwide Series.
Apparently it’s an amicable split, at his request, due to the tone of the statements from those involved.
“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… into the Sprint Cup Series,” said Tad Geschickter, co-owner of JTG Daugherty Racing along with Brad Daugherty and Jodi 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 have enjoyed working with Marcos and getting to know his family and friends from both the United States and Australia,” Jodi Geschickter added.
“They have brought a lively dimension to our racing family and we have appreciated the opportunity to get to know them. Although we will miss Marcos, we have an amazing team at JTG Daugherty Racing and we look forward to announcing our plans for 2011.”
Brad Daugherty, the former NBA player and cable TV commentator, agreed “we are thankful for the opportunity to work with Marcos for the last five years and it has been an enjoyable experience,” Daugherty said. “We wish him the utmost success and best wishes. JTG Daugherty Racing has a bright future and we already have great plans in place for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.”
Originally, Ambrose, a two-time V8 Supercar Champ, was a Ford development driver who made his first appearance for JTG Daugherty Racing was in a truck race at Martinsville Speedway in 2006.
“It has been a great five year journey for me and JTG Daugherty Racing,” Ambrose said. “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.”
Ambrose was last in the news when he almost won the Infineon Raceway Sprint Cup race, in June, only to stall on a heart-breaking restart attempt. His best finish in Sprint Cup is a second place at Watkins Glen and two wins there in the Nationwide Series.
Apparently it’s an amicable split, at his request, due to the tone of the statements from those involved.
“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… into the Sprint Cup Series,” said Tad Geschickter, co-owner of JTG Daugherty Racing along with Brad Daugherty and Jodi 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 have enjoyed working with Marcos and getting to know his family and friends from both the United States and Australia,” Jodi Geschickter added.
“They have brought a lively dimension to our racing family and we have appreciated the opportunity to get to know them. Although we will miss Marcos, we have an amazing team at JTG Daugherty Racing and we look forward to announcing our plans for 2011.”
Brad Daugherty, the former NBA player and cable TV commentator, agreed “we are thankful for the opportunity to work with Marcos for the last five years and it has been an enjoyable experience,” Daugherty said. “We wish him the utmost success and best wishes. JTG Daugherty Racing has a bright future and we already have great plans in place for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.”
Originally, Ambrose, a two-time V8 Supercar Champ, was a Ford development driver who made his first appearance for JTG Daugherty Racing was in a truck race at Martinsville Speedway in 2006.
“It has been a great five year journey for me and JTG Daugherty Racing,” Ambrose said. “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.”