Australia’s Marcos Ambrose has the opportunity to race for outright victory at the Rolex 24 At Daytona with the confirmation that he will be part of Michael Shank Racing at this year’s race.

Ambrose has been added to the squad after impressing during pre-event testing, the ‘Roar Before the 24’. The Tasmanian was called into the squad of the defending champions after lead driver Ozz Negri was injured in a mountain bike accident.

This means the Michael Shank Racing Ford-Riley Daytona prototype will have five drivers entered with AJ Allmendinger, Justin Wilson and John Pew also part of the squad.

“We couldn’t have been happier with how quickly Marcos gelled with everyone on this team,” said Mike Shank.

“Obviously he’s very fast in the car, but he was also great out of it. That’s hugely important for a race like this–you need to have everyone pulling in the same direction. He fits that perfectly.

“We are incredibly lucky to have someone like him interested in racing for us. Ozz is coming back quickly, but we wanted to go ahead and commit to having Marcos with us now.”

Ambrose has every reason to feel confident for the race with the team setting fastest times in five of the eight practice sessions at the pre-event test.

“I’m here for Ozz, and for Michael Shank Racing, just trying to get through a difficult time with Ozz’s injury,” said Ambrose.

“I’m only here to help. I feel privileged to be with this team, it’s a championship team. It’s a lot of fun to be in this car, it’s beautiful and the speed really flies out of this car! I feel really comfortable behind the wheel and I just want to help anyway I can.”

The Rolex 24 At Daytona with will be run over the Australia Day weekend of 26-27 January.

Ambrose has also put a line in the sand of his 2013 NASCAR aspirations by setting the second fastest time in the opening practice session of Sprintcar pre-season testing at Daytona.

He was only beaten by Toyota new recruit Matt Kenseth by 0.005 of a second during the first run of the sixth generation of Sprint Cup Series cars.

Defending Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski was 31st fastest out of 34 cars to turn laps in the morning session, nearly 3 mph off Kenseth’s pace.

NASCAR Preseason Thunder — Practice 1 results