Despite retiring from the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway today, season 2011 proved to be a breakout year for Marcos Ambrose in NASCAR competition, with the scoreboard showing that his off-season move to Richard Petty Motorsports was an astute decision.
Ambrose's unbeaten record for finishing races came to an end when engine issues sidelined the Stanley Ford Fusion in the early portion of the race while running within the top-20.
Despite the tough end to the season, Ambrose is upbeat about his prospects for 2012, where he will once again be lining up in the number nine machine.
"We had some engine issues," Ambrose said.
"We've been so reliable all year, we haven't had a DNF, so to come down to the last race and not finish is pretty gut-wrenching.
"It's a bad way to finish the season, but we've had a great year and really wanted to finish on a high note... I'm looking forward to 2012 and making it ever better."
Looking back on the season, August was a red letter month for the Australian, breaking through for his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory at Watkins Glen International, and also taking the win in his sole NASCAR Nationwide Series start for the season at Montreal.
Ambrose's breakthrough victory in NASCAR's elite category came in his 105th career start, and put him in esteemed company alongside Mario Andretti (Italy), Earl Ross (Canada) and Juan Pablo Montoya (Columbia) as international drivers to claim a victory in stock car racing's premiere division.
The win didn't come easily, as he had to fight back through the field from 30th position after making an additional pit stop to the leaders, passing Brad Keselowski on the penultimate lap to claim the top spot.
The result was Ambrose's fifth podium from as many starts at the venue in Cup competition, after winning three straight Nationwide events at the New York circuit between 2008 and 2010.
The Montreal win five days later was also an uphill fight for Ambrose.
After missing practice and qualifying due to clashing commitments at Michigan International Speedway, Ambrose took over the reigns of the Stanley Mustang on race day from fellow Tasmanian Owen Kelly, before charging through from the rear of grid.
Mid-race contact with local favourite Jacques Villeneuve sent Ambrose once again to the back of the pack, but he forged his way through to the lead, taking victory on what had previous been his voodoo circuit.
Ambrose's season featured five top-five Cup level finishes (Las Vegas, Dover, Sonoma, Watkins Glen and Charlotte), and a total of 12 top-ten finishes, statistics comparable to Chase contenders Dale Earnhardt Jnr and Denny Hamlin.
Although Ambrose didn't break through for his maiden Sprint Cup pole position, he did equal his best ever effort with a second place starting position at the spring Las Vegas round, and backed up with third starting positions at Watkins Glen and Phoenix.
By virtue of his Watkins Glen victory, Ambrose has secured for himself a starting berth in the 2012 Sprint All-Star Race, which he fell one spot short of qualifying for in 2011, by finishing third in the Sprint Showdown.
In his rare time off between NASCAR races, Ambrose also took in events such as the IWK 250 for late model stock cars, and the Prelude to the Dream dirt track charity race at Eldora, where he picked up a heat race win.
Away from his own exploits behind the wheel, the season was also a success for his newly formed Marcos Ambrose Motorsport squad, with team driver George Miedecke claiming second overall and Rookie of the Year honours in the hotly contested UARA Stars Series aboard the JELD WEN backed Ford Fusion.
The result for Miedecke was the best ever championship result by a rookie.
Ambrose also launched his new personal website, and opened his new online store for business, giving his fans worldwide access to his range of supporter gear.
Ford 400 Review
Race Results
1. Tony Stewart (Chevrolet)
2. Carl Edwards (Ford)
3. Martin Truex Jnr (Toyota)
4. Matt Kenseth (Ford)
5. Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet)
6. Clint Bowyer (Chevrolet)
7. Kasey Kahne (Toyota)
8. Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet)
9. Denny Hamlin (Toyota)
10. Jeff Burton (Chevrolet)
39. Marcos Ambrose (Ford)
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Standings (FINAL)
1. Tony Stewart (Chevrolet) 2403 points
2. Carl Edwards (Ford) 2403
3. Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet) 2345
4. Matt Kenseth (Ford) 2330
5. Brad Keselowski (Dodge) 2319
6. Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet) 2304
7. Dale Earnhardt Jnr (Chevrolet) 2290
8. Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet) 2287
9. Denny Hamlin (Toyota) 2284
10. Ryan Newman (Chevrolet) 2284
19. Marcos Ambrose (Ford) 936
