BUSCH: Mexico City: Marcos Ambrose Friday notes

STRONG START PUTS AMBROSE SIXTH IN FINAL PRACTICE IN MEXICO

Team Australia driver Marcos Ambrose has made a strong start to his debut NASCAR road course event by finishing final practice in sixth position at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City today.

Ambrose will make his 25th NASCAR start and his first on a road course when he lines up for the Telcel-Motorola Mexico 200 this weekend, the third race of the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series.

Ambrose was pleased with the pace of the Aussie Vineyards-backed #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion around the 2.518-mile (4.05-kilometre) road course. The Australian posted the 14th fastest time in opening practice before placing third in the second 'Rookie' practice session and sixth in final practice.

Former Formula One race winner Juan Pablo Montoya topped final practice after also topping Rookie Practice. His team-mate and former Champ Car race winner Scott Pruett was fastest in opening practice.

The total prize pool for the Telcel-Motorola Mexico 200 is US$2,512,372 (A$3,169,785).

Marcos Ambrose -- Aussie Vineyards-backed #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion

"We were pretty happy with how it all worked out today," said Ambrose.

"It is our first time here and there was a lot of traffic out there, so it was a little hard to get some rhythm going, which is very important on a road course.

"We were really close to Montoya's times in Rookie practice, but he really pulled something out for the final session. We'll have to see where everyone is at in qualifying tomorrow.

"There is plenty of rubber being laid down so the track is definitely changing. The circuit is good and is not too difficult to learn, it's quite flat and flowing so we are working on having the car balanced for the race.

"There are a lot of good road course drivers here this weekend. It's a tough field and a lot of these drivers have come from racing different sorts of cars on road courses.

"It's going to be a tough race with a lot of tough drivers and cars at the front, but I'm looking forward to the challenge."

-credit: taus