Ambrose scores 1st NASCAR win

Aussie takes Nationwide road race

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Marcos Ambrose called his first Nationwide Series victory a long time coming.

He wasn't the only one feeling that way.

Ambrose's victory in Saturday's Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International was just the second victory for owner Tad Geschickter. His previous win came in 1996 with driver Jeff Fuller at Bristol, Tenn.

It took some time for Geschickter to join the celebration as he was spotting for Ambrose on the backstretch of the 2.45-mile road course.

"It's been about 12 years, and I think we've finished second about 12 times since our last win," Geschickter said. "It's such a great feeling."

Ambrose, who has come close to victory several times since arriving in NASCAR in 2006 from the Australian V8 Supercar series, kept clear of on-track scuffles that continued to slow the pace. First, it was a run-in between Carl Edwards and Clint Bowyer, and then later Kyle Busch and Jeff Burton trading paint.

Ambrose was running second with five of 82 laps left when leader Burton was forced to pit for fuel. Ambrose held off Busch for his first NASCAR win.

"It sure is fantastic. It feels like I've got a huge load off my shoulder," said Ambrose, who is planning to run a full Cup schedule next season with JTG/Daugherty Racing.

"We've committed a lot to do this. I've dragged my family halfway across the world to do this. We're a team that's moving forward, and I feel like we needed a win to justify moving forward the way we plan to."

Ambrose's work is not done, however. He is also entered in today's Cup race at Watkins Glen, driving the No. 21 Ford for the Wood Brothers, and was the fastest in the first Cup practice session Saturday.

Gary Cogswell, Ambrose's crew chief, credited Ambrose's patience with letting the race strategy play out.

"It's hard to just beat people. We were able to put ourselves in the right position to win the race," he said.

Bowyer, the series points leader, finished 23rd and maintains a 128-point lead over second place Brad Keselowski.