Ambrose eager to impress on ovals

The double Aussie V8 champion won on his 59th NASCAR start in the Nationwide event on Saturday, and went on to finish third in the Sprint Cup race on Sunday.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to go Cup racing," he said. "I'm excited to be given the opportunity and to be making the most of it. You don't get many chances to do something special like this.

"It was a great weekend but I don't want to be labelled just a road course racer, I am tenth in the Nationwide points. I'm trying to make it as a NASCAR driver full stop, not just a road racer."

Ambrose is set for a full-time Sprint Cup campaign next season and admitted that he was tempted to try to pass Tony Stewart for second place at the end of the Cup race, but didn't want to risk an incident damaging his reputation.

"I really thought about it and wanted to have a crack at him, but I didn't quite have the run up the hill," he said. "I could have tried something risky, but the difference between second and third for me was small compared to the negative I would have had if I took out one of these Chase guys and got a bad reputation.

"I wanted to be respectful of the guys who are doing it week in week out, it's not my place to stick my nose in and ruin someone else's day that's fighting for the Chase."

The Australian also hopes the podium will help to boost the fortunes of the Wood Brothers team.

"I'm really proud of the job they've done and I hope it can give them the shot in the arm they need to get the momentum to move forward.

"They've had a tough run but I hope I can play my part in helping to get them back on track. It's good that I could give them a lift, but there's a long road ahead.

"The problem is bigger than just one person, this is a tough sport. You have to be 100 per cent committed and have the resources behind you and everyhing. I hope they can get it done."