Update = 'Devil Racer' takes a spin at NASCAR circuit

[racer69]

One thing that will make them rest abit easier (Ford Australia) is the progress of 888 and Lowdnes. If they weren't performing then they would have a serious problem on their hands indeed.

[Razor]

Originally Posted by racer69

One thing that will make them rest a bit easier (Ford Australia) is the progress of 888 and Lowdnes. If they weren't performing then they would have a serious problem on their hands indeed.

There are a few names that make Ford drivers that makes their hairs on the back of their necks stand up. They are: Mark Skaife, Todd Kelly, Greg Murphy, Rick Kelly, Paul Weel, Garth Tander, Cameron McConvile, Paul Radisich, Steven Richards, Peter Brock and Jimmy Richards. Go Holden.

[Robert Ryan]

The story carried in Auto Action and Motorsport News, did not sound that promising. I expect Roush were expecting someone with experience on ovals?

[Rombles1]

Originally Posted by Robert Ryan

The story carried in Auto Action and Motorsport News, did not sound that promising. I expect Roush were expecting someone with experience on ovals?

Maybe we should send them someone who has AFL experience then - they play on ovals every week.....

[thejester]

I likes Ambrose's call about the 'Devil Racer' tag no going down well in the God-fearin', Bush-votin', Bud-drinkin' NASCAR scene.

Seriously though, he's absolutely right. I'm sure many people in that scene would find that deeply offensive. I think he should stick with it - he'll get heaps of publicity, and maybe a love to hate him fan base. Maybe he could walk out to his car in a black spike-encrusted racing suit to a death metal song and pyrotechnics - get that WWF vibe goin', yeee-haa!!

[retro]

Came across this.......Nascar/Ford want a Danica Patrick apparently....could this impact on Ambrose??

Ford wants a first female Cup winner:

Ford executives have put a new twist on the female side of the NASCAR diversity program, by declaring it a battle now to become the first Detroit automaker to put a woman into victory lane at a Nextel Cup race.

That considerably ups the stakes in the Ford-vs.-Dodge-vs.-Chevrolet campaign among women drivers.

Dodge's Erin Crocker, set to make her Busch tour debut at Richmond in September, appears to have the upper hand at the moment.

Two of General Motors' best hopes are Allison Duncan and Sarah Fisher.

However the two, who drive for car owner Richard Childress, have been salted away on the West Coast, far from the limelight.

And the question is if it's time for Childress to step up their development programs.

Duncan, a sports-car racer turned stock-car driver, is running the weekly series at Stockton (Calif.) Speedway, where she won her first feature three weeks ago on the quarter-mile track.

But running weekly 50-lappers on a quarter-mile in California is hardly a career path to NASCAR's Cup tour, even if Duncan is running in the top four regularly.

[Robert Ryan]

Has anyone seen the latest issue of the glossy speedway magazine"Oval Express" July 2005.? It has an interview and four pages on Marcos going to NASCAR. As well it also has reminsces from : Brad Jones; Dick Johnson;John Faulkner;Jim Richards; Gene Cook;Max Dumnesy; Barry Graham and John Sidney car owner on their experiences and what problems Marcos might encounter in the US.
I liked Brad Jones and John Faulkner stories how they were "locked" out of trying for any sort of NASCAR class . This is AFTER Brad won the local NASCAR championship and had 4 AUSCAR championships to his name.
Richards said he was offered to do some roadcourses, but he wanted to run ovals as well and turned down the offers.
A Very interesting read.

[retro]

Double Australian V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose may have announced that he will leave his native Tasmania at the end of the current season to pursue a career in NASCAR but he says that he isn't ready to formally announce his plans for 2006 just yet.

Currently leading the 2005 V8 Supercar Championship standings, Ford Australia's golden boy has already sampled American racing (in a Porsche) during this year's Rolex 24 at Daytona but, as he was admiring Ford's new 2006 Fusion NASCAR racer, he was unable to confirm whether or not he would be returning to the Daytona Speedway next February behind the wheel of either a Busch or Nextel Cup Series Fusion.

"It's an exciting time for me to be heading over to the US from 2006,” says Ambrose. "I can't yet confirm if I will drive the Fusion in competition in 2006. We'll continue to work on our options next year with the Truck Series as well as Busch and Nextel Cup racing."

"Right now I'm focussed on the V8 Supercar Championship Series and giving it everything to win our third straight title."





Ford's director of racing technology Dan Davis has pronounced himself thrilled at the blue ovals' new 2006 NASCAR challenger.

Marking the first time since 1968 when the evocative Torino model hit the racetrack and the showroom at the same time, the 2006 Ford Fusion will become the first brand new model since then to make its racing debut at the same time it goes on sale to the public.

The 2006 Fusion, based on the production model that will hit showrooms in the USA later this year, has been officially named Ford Racing's new race car for NASCAR competition and will make its competition debut at the 2006 Daytona 500 in February. Ford teams will use it in next year's NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship, as well as Busch Series competition.

“We're thrilled to be unveiling the new Fusion,” said Dan Davis, director, Ford Racing Technology.

“The Fusion production car represents a fresh, new attitude for Ford in the mid-size sedan line-up. This Fusion race car has the same bold look, and it represents an all new era in our Ford NASCAR racing programme.”

The Fusion will replace the Ford Taurus, which has captured four NASCAR championships (three Nextel Cup, one Busch), and 100 Nextel Cup victories since it made its competition debut in 1998.

“We'd like to send Taurus out with one more championship,” said Davis, noting six Ford drivers are currently in contention to qualify for the final, 10-race Nextel Chase for the Championship. “But the time is right to move on to Fusion.”

Ford submitted the Fusion to NASCAR officials several weeks ago, and is awaiting a final, on-track test before the car is officially certified for competition.

“With Fusion's dynamic new look, I think we have a car that NASCAR fans will easily recognise out on the track, in victory lane and in their own driveway," said Davis. "We're excited, and I know our teams are as well.”