MANSFIELD, Ohio - As a rookie in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Marcos Ambrose is used to being under the microscope. But when he's at the Mansfield Motorsports Speedway for this Saturday's City of Mansfield 250, he will be under the watchful eye of an entire nation.

Ambrose proudly will carry the colours of Team Australia and Aussie Vineyards in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. Team Australia is a group of government and private ventures to promote Australia. It is supported by RM Williams clothing, Tourism Australia and other progressive Australian brands.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for me," Ambrose said.

"We made a huge step leaving Australia for NASCAR, one that's going to take some time. There's a big difference between what I used to race back home and my Ford F-150 pickup. But it's been fun. And to have Australia along for the ride is really exciting.

Ambrose, a two-time winner of the Australian V8 Supercar Series and a champion of Formula Ford, isn't afraid of the challenge to get his Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Ford F-150 up to speed. The challenge, he said, is to find the fine line between racing hard and being reckless.

"We have to make NASCAR happy, but at the same time we have to get our truck up to speed for the race," Ambrose said.

"We've been a little frustrated by our finishes this year because we've been in a couple accidents - none of them of our own doing. It's all a matter of finding a comfortable place to run during the race and logging laps. The longer I'm on the track, the more I can learn.

"Our game plan from the start has been to finish races and get momentum for the future. That's still our plan for Mansfield."

Ambrose is part of the team's driver development program. He said the learning curve has been steep, if not overwhelming, but it's been fun.

"I'm really eager to get out there and race," Ambrose said. "I want to get a lot of laps under my belt. I really like the schedule for Mansfield because we get two regular practice sessions on Friday and a third practice or rookies. I can wait to get as many laps under my belt as possible.

"I want to earn everyone's respect, and the only ways to do that is to racing hard, but do it the right way. I don't want to be a fool."

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Marcos Ambrose Fast Facts
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* Marcos Ambrose will be making his fourth career start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

* Ambrose has earned US$23,218 in three starts this year

I'll keep my eye open on Fox sports, hopefully i'll be able to catch it as i haven't seen a race as yet.

damn 23kus... fair bit for 3 races!

good luck to him!

specially since he crashed on em all.
none his fault tho. he just needs a bit of clean air and he'll be right

The new Team Australia backed F150:



Lookin' good in green and gold!!!