The Hot Pass: Ambrose, JTG's wild journey continues

NASCAR team owner Tad Geschickter knows the difference a year can make.

June of last year, Geschickter's transporter carrying the cars and equipment for Marcos Ambrose's team caught fire on the way back from the Loudon Nationwide Series race.

Keeping track

The organization, which had expectations of progressing to the Sprint Cup Series at the time, was admittedly "spread thin." Equipment that Geschickter had on that truck was earmarked for the company's Cup debut a month later at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The team refused to allow that road block alone to squelch its dreams. July was a rebuilding month of sorts. Former NBA star Brad Daugherty came on board as a partial owner and the rumor mill swirled regarding Ambrose, the selection of manufacturer and where the Cup operation would call home.

Ambrose had a respectable 22nd-place finish in his first start in the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Ford at Indy. But what really distinguished the 32-year-old Launceston, Australia-native besides his accent was his killer instinct on road courses. One week after his Cup debut, Ambrose finished third in the Montreal Nationwide Series event. Ambrose carried that momentum to Watkins Glen the following week where he outran Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick and Dario Franchitti for his first Nationwide win.

In the Cup race at the Glen, Ambrose piloted the storied No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford from the 43rd position to a third-place finish. It was the team's best finish since Ricky Rudd sailed to second-place at Sonoma in 2005.

The following month, the partnership between JTG Daugherty Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing was unveiled. From a business standpoint, it was one of the best decisions Geschickter ever made. MWR has made tremendous gains and under the direction of crew chief Frankie Kerr, the No. 47 Toyota team has flourished.




Not surprisingly, Geschickter has agreed in principle to extend his partnership with MWR into 2010. An announcement is expected next week along with additional sponsorship for the car. Ambrose originally signed a five-year deal with Geschickter which runs until 2011, but given the driver's accelerated learning curve, don't be surprised if that contract isn't extended as well.

"I'm a firm believer, if it's not broke don't try to fix it," Geschickter said. "Marcos' performance has enhanced the interest of new sponsors.

"What a difference a year makes. Our sponsorship discussions have gone from talking about missing races and not making the show to bonuses should Marcos makes the Chase. It's a totally different aura."