Marcos Ambrose has spoken of a bittersweet ending to his full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup career.
Amid the euphoria of Kevin Harvick’s dramatic Sprint Cup title win at Homestead, Ambrose saw the curtain come down on his full-time stock car career when he was classified in 27th.
The #9 Stanley Ford Fusion proved a handful for Ambrose throughout the race, with the driver being a three-time recipient of the Lucky Dog award which lifted him back to the lead lap.
Ahead of his return to Australia to spearhead the newly aligned DJR Team Penske operation, Ambrose said the Homestead race was reflective of a year when he struggled to consistently mount top 10 challenges.
“It’s been the story of our year, just fighting and gouging and trying all the way to the very end,” Ambrose said.
“I finished all the laps here tonight and finished 23rd in points, so we’ll take it.
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“It wore me out.”
Frustrated at being unable to go out on a higher note, Ambrose said he was thankful for the opportunity to race in NASCAR which saw him net five Nationwide and two Sprint Cup victories, all of which came on road courses.
“I’m just tired, to be honest with you,” Ambrose said.
“I’m feeling the effects of a hot night here in Miami.
“The car was handling rough and I was fighting it, but that’s what makes NASCAR so great.
“I’m gonna miss it, no doubt about it.
“It’s bittersweet for me, but I’ve got a lot to look forward to and a lot to be thankful for.”
Ambrose will immediately return to Australia where he will drive a DJR Team Penske Falcon at Lakeside in a ride day on Friday.
The day will serve as an unveiling of the livery his charge will carry as he embarks on his first V8 Supercars start since 2005 as a wildcard at the Sydney NRMA 500 from December 3-5.
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