Chicagoland: Marcos Ambrose preview

AMBROSE AIMING TO CONTINUE MOMENTUM AT CHICAGOLAND--

Marcos Ambrose is aiming to continue his recent momentum as then NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Chicagoland Speedway for the LifeLock.com 400 in Joliet, Illinois this weekend.

Ambrose, who will compete Kingsford colours for JTG Daugherty Racing at the 1.5-mile speedway, currently sits 18th in the series standings and has closed the gap on the top 12 over the past few weeks courtesy of some solid results.

While the Race to the Chase, where the top 12 battle for the title over the final 10 races, isn't Ambrose's primary focus it is something that the Australian is keeping in the back of his mind.

This weekend's 19th race of the 2009 Sprint Cup season is Ambrose's first start in the top level of the sport at Chicagoland. He has made two starts in the Nationwide Series over the past two years at the venue with a best finish of 20th place.

Ambrose will enter this event refreshed, making time for a quick family holiday after this sixth place finish at Daytona last weekend.

MARCOS GETS A WRAP

Following his recent run of solid results, Marcos Ambrose has received a number of good wraps from various parts of the globe.

In NASCAR.com's Power Rankings ahead of Chicago, Ambrose has moved into the Top Ten and is eighth favourite in the power rankings for this weekend's race. To view the ranks please Click Here

Ambrose also faired well in the Mid-Season Review by ESPN.com columnist Terry Blount. To read the review please Click Here

WHAT MARCOS HAD TO SAY --

"I had the family in Hilton Head for a day and a half just to enjoy the sun and beach," said Ambrose.

"We left Daytona on Sunday and drove up to the area because it's halfway between Daytona Beach and Charlotte. It was my first visit and it was just great. We had the girls with us. I have a three and a half and a one-year-old. It was nice to just relax after a crazy night Saturday at Daytona.

"Fortunately, we were able to come away unharmed in that finish at Daytona and have a great finish. Now, we're really looking forward to Chicagoland this weekend and keeping our momentum going.

"We're 18th in points and we've closed some of the gap on the top-12 in the championship standings.

"We're really not focused on it, but at the same time I think it's in the back of all of our minds. If we have some great runs during the Race to the Chase, you never know. We are still in some contention for it.

"We're in pretty high-esteemed company and we don't expect to be in the top-12, but at the same time we don't want to blow any opportunities that come our way.

"I don't know yet about Chicagoland, but we will find out. I haven't got many memories of it to be honest. I know the back straight is a bit funny, it seems to have a curve all the way around. I'm just thrilled about how we are running. We haven't raced at a 1.5-mile track for a while.

"We're looking forward to being competitive because we feel like we missed our chance at Charlotte (Lowe's Motor Speedway) to show what we really have. I feel confident we have learned a lot and we may surprise some people.

"The guys back at the shop have done a great job in preparing the cars and giving the feedback we need to have a better program on the 1.5-mile tracks."

-credit: ma/bam media