Marcos Ambrose claims his Richard Petty Motorsports squad arrives ahead of the new NASCAR season furnishing increased firepower following its average performance in 2013.
Speaking on NASCAR's live show online during the so far washed out pre-season test at Daytona, Ambrose is confident of launching a competitive run on the Sprint Cup.
“I'm looking forward to 2014 because 2013 was a real wipe,” Ambrose said.
“It was a disastrous year. We've added a lot of weaponry in our team, adding an aerodynamicist and we are looking forward to it.”
NASCAR is bringing in a host of sporting and technical changes ahead of the season.
These include more downforce, revised post-race ride height tests which will allow for more individual tuning to the suspension and the use of heavier springs.
Teams were sent a technical bulletin last month highlighting all the changes to the Gen6 car which enters its second season.
Ford teams have already made a design adjustment around the grille area to the Fusion racecars that is said to make it easier to clear debris.
“(We're looking forward to) the new rules package. We got out-engineered last year,” Ambrose said.
“We go back to more conventional rules this year.”
Ambrose battled his way to finish 22nd in the points last year, four spots below his team-mate Aric Almirola.