By Ryan - Posted on August 12, 2009

Often, NASCAR News agencies overlook the effect that road courses have had on the sport, specifically bringing in talent from areas that would not have given the Sprint Cup series a second thought.  Names like Juan Pablo Montoya, Boris Said, and Travis Kvapil would never be considered drivers by fans if it weren’t for places like Watkin’s Glen and Sonoma.  To a degree, these tracks have given NASCAR a certain global legitimacy and international flair that has increased NASCAR’s fan base, as well as its driver’s pool.

Take for example Marcos Ambrose.  Before Watkin’s Glen last year, he was relatively unknown, having worked his way through the ranks starting as a V-8 Supercar driver in his native Tasmania.  He was hired by the Wood brothers to drive the #21 Ford at the Glen last year and had to start at the back of the pack, since qualifying was rained out and the field was set by owner points.  That day, he charged through the field, garnering a third place finish. 

This led his Nationwide Series car owner, Tad Geschickter, to look at him very closely as a driver.  The newly formed TJG Daugherty Racing needed someone to pilot their Toyota Camry in the Sprint Cup Series for 2009.  Geschickter’s driver choice has paid off for the new team.  Ambrose has 6 top ten’s and 3 top five’s under his belt, including a second place finish behind Tony Stewart at the Finger Lakes track this past Monday.  He sits in the 17th spot, 967 points behind leader Tony Stewart.  While it is true that many drivers that begin with road courses are not able to translate their success to the rigors of the oval tracks that NASCAR is accustomed to, Marcos Ambrose is the exception to the rule. 

It is no wonder that the storied tradition of Wood Brothers Racing, the team known for giving NASCAR the under 20 second pit stop, continues to be able to spot talent like Ambrose.