Marcos Ambrose will start the Corona Mexico 200 from fourth position after qualifying well at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City today.

Ambrose has focused his attentions on having a stable car for long runs during tomorrow’s race, but still was able to achieve a top five qualifying time in the #59 Kingsford Hickory Ford Fusion.

Fourth is Ambrose’s NASCAR career best qualifying performance on a road course, eclipsing the Australian’s previous best of fifth in Montreal last season.

Ambrose is confident that he has a strong package for the race and is sighting race strategy as a crucial element to success in tomorrow’s 80-lap race around the twisty Mexico City circuit.

Ford drivers occupy four of the top five positions, with teenager Colin Braun putting his Ford Fusion on pole from Scott Pruett, followed by the Fords of Carl Edwards, Ambrose and Boris Said.

Marcos Ambrose - #59 Kingsford Hickory Ford Fusion

“We’re pretty happy,” said Ambrose.

“It’s nice to be in the top third for this race.

“We feel like we have a good car on the longer run. I was hoping for a top-five qualifying run there and I’m pretty pleased with it.

“I think we will be a lot of long runs tomorrow because the race will settle down and everyone is just trying to look out for their gear. There will be a cluster of cautions, that’s historically how this race is run.”

“It’s a nice gain for us. I feel like we’ve really improved our road course program. We were faster here with this car with a 100 less horsepower than what we had last year. We’ve made huge gains on the car and we’re really pleased with it.”

RESULTS: Qualifying
1. #16 Colin Braun 88.217
2. #40 Scott Pruett 88.307
3. #60 Carl Edwards 88.432
4. #59 Marcos Ambrose 88.600
5. #25 Boris Said 88.805
6. #20 Kyle Busch 88.939
7. #9 Patrick Carpentier 89.067
8. #2 Clint Bowyer 89.090
9. #111 Jason Keller 89.119
10. #86 Antonio Perez 89.160

2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Standings - After Race 8 of 35
1. Clint Bowyer 1189
2. Car Edwards 1165
3. Kyle Busch 1083
4. David Ragan 1068
5. David Reutimann 1065
6. Brad Keselowski 1011
7. Mike Bliss 998
8. Kevin Harvick 977
9. Jason Leffler 962
10. Kelly Bires 926
17. Marcos Ambrose 773

2008 NNS Prizemoney after 8 races:
Marcos Ambrose: US$234,524 (A$252,632)

RACE SCHEDULE
Local Mexico City (US Central) Times
Race – 80 laps
Sunday 20 April 2008
1:00pm US Central
2:00pm US Eastern

UNITED STATES TV SCHEDULE
Sunday 20 April 2008
ESPN
1:30pm US Eastern

AUSTRALIAN TIMES
Australian Eastern Standard Times
Race – 80 laps
Monday 21 April 2008
4:00am AEST

AUSTRALIAN TV SCHEDULE
Monday 21 April 2008
Ten HD
3:30am – 7:30am AEST

AUSTRALIAN TV REPLAY
Saturday 26 April 2008
Ten HD
12:00pm – 1:00pm AEST

ABOUT AUTODROMO HERMANOS RODRIGUEZ
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Track Length: 2.518 miles (4.05km)
Race Distance: 80 laps – 201.44 miles (324.19km)
Circuit Type: Permanent Road Course

NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES RECORD BOOK
Defending Nationwide Race Winner: Juan Pablo Montoya
Defending Nationwide Polesitter: Scott Pruett
Marcos Ambrose 2007 Race Finish: 8th
Marcos Ambrose 2007 Qualifying: 12th

For further information please contact:
Chris Jordan – BAM Media: +61 412 936 338
Brett Murray – BAM Media: +1 704 315 0083
Chip Warren – JTG Racing: +1 828 320 4079