Lance debut's on the #47: Lance, Inc. has a longstanding history in racing and this season they will have major presence in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Lance partnered with JTG Daugherty Racing and driver #47-Marcos Ambrose for multiple primary races. Lance fully brands Ambrose’s Toyota Camry for the first time this year at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 7th for the Kobalt Tools 500. In addition to sponsoring Ambrose’s efforts to capture his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory, Lance has also partnered with Kids Crooked House to give one lucky race fan the opportunity to win a customized racing-theme Kids Crooked House by visiting www.lance.com.(JTG Daugherty Racing), see image of Lance scheme on my #47 Team Schemes page.(3-4-2010)

Ambrose to run Kingsford colors at Vegas: With warmer weather around the corner, Marcos Ambrose is reminding race fans that “Racing Season is Grilling Season” as he straps into his #47 Kingsford Toyota Camry and attempts to change his luck at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS). "Kingsford Charcoal is a wonderful partner of ours and they’ve been with us for a long time,” Ambrose said. “I’m an outdoorsman and I’m always cooking on the grill at the race track or at home. Steaks are my favorite with Bush’s Baked Beans of course. Bush’s will also have presence on the JTG Daugherty Racing car as well as Scotts Towels, Little Debbie and Clorox. We just want to fans to remember that racing season is grilling season and it’s time to pull out the grill and fire it up. I’m looking forward to doing that myself when I get to the track because I love to grill.” He likes grilling so much that he will be firing up his grill and hosting country music artist Craig Morgan at LVMS.(JTG Daugherty Racing) see images oif the scheme on my #47 Team Schemes page and looks for Ambrose to run Lance Snacks colors at Atlanta next week.(2-26-2010)

Drivers Test at New Smyrna: Tuesday Marcos Ambrose tested his #47 Kroger NASCAR at the half-mile high-banked New Smyrna Speedway. Preparing for his second full-time season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, the Australian driver shared the track today with #13-Max Papis, #00-David Reutimann and #5-Martin Truex Jr. It's the first time Ambrose has been in a car in over two months. "I just want to dust off the cobwebs," said Ambrose.(MarcosAmbrose.com)(1-27-2010)

Waltrip/Ambrose, not so lucky in the 24 Hours of Dubai: The French IMSA Performance MATMUT team has won the fifth anniversary edition of the Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai. After 24 hours of racing at the 5.390 kilometres long Dubai Autodrome circuit, its driver pairing of Raymond Narac, Patrick Pilet and Marco Holzer had racked up a total of 608 laps with the team’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Marco Holzer drove the car across the finish line. Second place was taken by the Japanese Petronas Syntium Team with the BMW Z4 Coupé, driven by Nobuteru Taniguchi, Masataka Yanigada, Farique Hairuman, Johannes Stuck and Hiroki Yoshida. The Al Faisal Racing team with Abdulaziz Al Faisal, Claudia Hürtgen, Marko Hartung and Khaled Al Faisal took their BMW Z4 Coupé to third place overall.(More info at 24hdubai.com)
AND NASCAR fans found themselves with a small window of opportunity to follow Michael Waltrip and Marcos Ambrose in their Dubai debut. Ambrose, a veteran road racer and two-time Australian V8 Supercars champion prior to his switch to Sprint Cup, had the AF Corse Ferrari F430 in the thick of the battle for the lead during the opening stint. But when teammate Waltrip took over, he soon encountered a two-car crash on the front straight and the NASCAR veteran was forced to take avoiding action, resulting in a race-ending introduction to the pit wall. Waltrip reported via his Twitter account that he was uninjured. "Well that's disappointing. 2 guys crashed on the straight [and] I got knocked into it. But I didn't hurt so that's good. Hi mom!"(SPEEDtv.com)(1-18-2010)

Kroger floral scheme for Ambrose at Daytona: JTG Daugherty Racing announced that Kroger, the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer and world’s largest florist, will be the primary sponsor for Marcos Ambrose and the #47 Toyota team during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14. This year, NASCAR’s biggest and most prestigious race happens to fall on Valentine’s Day, February 14. To recognize the traditional day of love, Kroger is running a special floral paint scheme of red roses on Ambrose’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) entry as a reminder that they offer floral arrangements and gifts for every occasion. You can order flowers with ease by calling 1-800-900-6575 or visiting www.Kroger.com. “Kroger and our family of stores are excited to bring the Daytona 500 closer to our customers and race fans this year,” said Don Becker, Executive Vice President of Kroger. “Sponsoring Marcos in the race on Valentine’s Day is particularly thrilling since Kroger sells more roses that day than any other florist in the world.” Because Kroger delivers flowers internationally in addition to domestically, they are top of mind for Ambrose to send flowers to his family and friends in Australia. Just like Ambrose is passionate about racing and delivering results, Kroger’s family of stores are passionate about flowers and deliver the freshest flowers from growers around the world. This year, Kroger will come in handy for the Aussie while his wife Sonja and two daughters remain in their homeland during the Daytona 500 on Valentine’s Day. In addition to Kroger’s presence on the hood, they are extending the sponsorship to their family of grocery and multi-department stores by including Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Food 4 Less, Gerbes, King Soopers Ralphs, QFC and Smith’s. Kroger will also have one of their jewelry stores on the quarter panels to remind people to visit Fred Meyer Jewelers, which carries a large selection of watches, engagement rings, wedding rings, gemstones, diamonds and more.(JTG Daugherty Racing)(1-16-2010)

Bush's Baked Bean returns to sponsor Ambrose: JTG Daugherty Racing team officials announced Bush Brothers and Company’s Bush’s Baked Beans brand will be a primary sponsor of Marcos Ambrose and the #47 Toyota team for five primary races and will also serve as an associate sponsor during the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. “We are proud to enter our ninth season as partners with JTG Daugherty Racing and thrilled to have Marcos as our driver,” said Ray Kielarowski, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Bush Brothers and Company. “We look forward to kicking off the new season at the track and sharing the Winner’s Circle with him in 2010.” Bush’s Baked Beans will be positioned on Ambrose’s #47 Toyota’s hood for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at Talladega on April 25, Richmond on May 1, Bristol on August 21, New Hampshire on September 19 and Dover on September 26. Tad Geschickter, co-owner of JTG Daugherty Racing, has been partners with Bush Brothers and Company for nearly a decade.(JTG Daugherty Racing)(1-13-2010)

Ambrose to race at Dubai 24 Hour sportscar race: Marcos Ambrose will race in the Dubai 24 Hour sportscar race at the Dubai Autodrome on January 14-16, 2010. Ambrose will drive the #148 Ferrari F430 GT2 of the AF Corse team, partnered by Rob Kaufman, Michael Waltrip, Rui Aguas and Niki Cadei. AF Corse team owner Kaufman is also a co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, with which Ambrose’s team JTG Daugherty Racing has a close technical alliance. Ambrose has previous experience in GT and sportscar racing, entering the Grand-Am Rolex Sportscar Series event at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada earlier this year with fellow Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards. The Australian driver competed in the GT class at the 2005 Daytona 24 Hour in a Porsche GT3 Cup car with fellow Australians Paul Morris, Craig Baird and John Teulen.(BAM Media)(12-8-2009)

Ambrose honored with Sir Jack Brabham Award: Australian NASCAR driver Marcos Ambrose has been honored with the prestigious Sir Jack Brabham Award by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS), the governing body of motorsport in Australia. Ambrose was presented with the award by CAMS President Andrew Papadopoulos while at the Sydney Telstra 500 in Sydney, New South Wales over the weekend, the final event of the 2009 V8 Supercar Championship Series. The Sir Jack Brabham Award is presented by CAMS in recognition of the remarkable achievements of Sir Jack Brabham OBE, the outstanding Australian engineer and driver who rose to the pinnacle of world motorsport. The Sir Jack Brabham Award recognises outstanding achievement and success by an Australian motor sport competitor at the international level. The recipient must demonstrate outstanding talent, determination and a significant level of success in international competition. Sir Jack Brabham is a three-time Formula One World Champion and remains the only man in history to win the F1 title in a car of his own make. “The award is unexpected and I feel privileged to be given the nod for it,” said Ambrose. “Sir Jack is obviously a hero of mine, as all the Brabhams are to be honest. It’s a real racing dynasty. So I take that honour with pride. Jack and the whole Brabham family are pioneers in Australian racing and it's a privilege to be given the honour of this award and I hold it in high regard and I am very thankful that I've been given the nod for it.”(BAM Media)(12-7-2009)

Michael Waltrip Racing extends with Toyota: Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced the extension of its partnership with Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The new agreement will keep the emerging organization with the manufacturer through the end of 2012. In 2010, MWR will field the #00 Aaron’s/Tums/Best Western Toyota full-time with driver David Reutimann, the #55 Toyota with Michael Waltrip on a limited basis and the #56 NAPA Auto Part Toyota full-time with Martin Truex Jr. Additionally, MWR signed a two-year technical alliance extension with JTG-Daugherty Racing to field the #47 Toyota with driver Marcos Ambrose. MWR receives engines from Toyota Racing Development (TRD) out of Costa Mesa, California, along with Red Bull Racing. TRD’s Salisbury, N.C., facility supports MWR’s vehicle dynamics and development, aerodynamics, tire data analysis and race strategy programs. This announcement comes on the heels of MWR announcing 100% renewal with its existing sponsors, a new relationship with TUMS as a primary and associate sponsor on the #00, a two-year extension with JTG-Daugherty Racing and a new partnership with its NASCAR Nationwide Series team with Gary and Blake Bechtel forming Diamond-Waltrip Racing to field Camrys for 18-year-old phenom Trevor Bayne.(MWR)(11-14-2009)

Mobil 1 and Toyota UPDATE: not quite sure what this is all about, have heard nor seen anything but......Mobil 1 Racing and Toyota Racing Development (TRD) U.S.A to make announcement about 2010 NASCAR season Friday at Phoenix International Raceway, scheduled to be attending the announcement are Brian Vickers, driver of the #83 Red Bull Toyota; Michael Waltrip, owner of Michael Waltrip Racing and driver of the #55 NAPA Toyota; Lee White, President and General Manager, TRD; Harold Shablom, Global Motorsport Manager, ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialties.(PR)(11-13-2009)
UPDATE: ExxonMobil and Toyota Racing Development (TRD) unveiled a new technological partnership in which ExxonMobil will provide its Mobil 1 racing oil technology and products to TRD- supported NASCAR teams. Kicking off at the start of the 2010 NASCAR season, TRD-supplied NASCAR engines will be filled with specially modified motor oil based on the same technology available to consumers in Mobil 1 Racing oils, which were unveiled in April. The TRD-specific motor oils will deliver outstanding power via unique low-friction synthetic lubricant technology combined with boosted levels of anti-wear additives to protect and extend the life of engine hardware. Formally announced before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, the collaboration will pair Mobil 1, the “Official Motor Oil of NASCAR,” with one of NASCAR’s top engine manufacturers. With this new partnership, ExxonMobil’s racing oil technology will now provide performance and protection for the TRD-supported Red Bull Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing NASCAR teams.(Toyota PR)(11-14-2009)

Little Debbie re-ups with Ambrose: McKee Foods, a family bakery best known for their Little Debbie brand, announced that they will once again sponsor ‘Awesome Aussie’ Marcos Ambrose and the #47 JTG-Daugherty Racing Toyota Camry in 2010 [Little Debbie sponsored the #47 for 18 races in 2009]. Chris McKee, EVP of Marketing & Sales, says the sponsorship of Ambrose has paid dividends in 2009. “Marcos is a tremendous driver and a great spokesperson for our Little Debbie brand. Little Debbie is all about adding simple fun and enjoyment to life and Marcos’ ever-present smile and upbeat attitude really illustrates our brand message. We are impressed with his performance in his first full season in NASCAR Sprint Cup racing and we are excited about the possibilities for next year. 2010 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Little Debbie Brand –so it’s a big year for Little Debbie and I think it is going to be a big year for Marcos and JTG-Daugherty Racing.” 2010 will mark the fifth consecutive season that Little Debbie has been a business partner with JTG-Daugherty Racing. Team co-owner Tad Geschickter is proud of the partnership. “Little Debbie is a great, family-oriented brand and we are proud to help promote their products. In a year when many sponsors are leaving the sport, I’m thankful for their continued support of our team. We look forward to rewarding them with an even bigger return next season on the track and in the stores.”(JTG-Daugherty Racing), see images of the #47 Little Debbie Chocolate Cupcake scheme that is scheduled to run at Texas, Phoenix and Homestead on my #47 Team Schemes page.(11-6-2009)

Special 'Cup Cake' scheme for Ambrose at Texas: Little Debbie Racing's Marcos Ambrose will be driving the #47 Little Debbie Chocolate Cupcake Toyota in the final three races of the 2009 Sprint Cup season: Texas, Phoenix and Homestead (Little Debbie Flickr page), the scheme was designed by NASCAR artist Sam Bass. See images of the car on my #47 Team Schemes page.(11-6-2009)

JTG-MWR to continue alliance: UPDATE: JTG Daugherty Racing has extended its technical alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing for another season, JTG Daugherty co-owner Tad Geschickter confirmed Saturday at Martinsville Speedway. The two organizations began a technical alliance this year with the JTG Daugherty crew working out of the MWR shop. MWR builds the cars, and then the JTG Daugherty team works on them there. Officials from both teams have been saying for weeks that they wanted the alliance to continue. JTG Daugherty driver #47-Marcos Ambrose, in his first full season, is 17th in the Sprint Cup standings.(SceneDaily)(10-25-2009)
UPDATE: Marcos Ambrose and JTG Daugherty Racing will continue to run out of the Michael Waltrip Racing stable for the next two seasons after JTGD and MWR confirmed this week that the two teams will continue to operate under a technical alliance for 2010 and 2011. Ambrose, who is under contract for JTG Daugherty Racing for 2010 and 2011, is excited by the continuity that this deal brings to his racing program, having benefitted from the relationship greatly as part of an impressive first season in the top-flight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.(JTG Daugherty Racing)(10-30-2009)

Ambrose heading back to Tasmania in off season: Like many drivers, #47-Marcos Ambrose spends days or weeks at a time away from home, working away from the track. As the season winds down, the Aussie knows a trip to the homeland is just what he needs to recharge from the hustle and bustle. Following the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Ambrose will go to Tasmania for two months. “The idea of going back to Australia is for my kids to see family and friends,” Ambrose said. “For me, I will also use the time to get my body in shape and get my head back in the game. I will think about what I need during the year and how I am going to be better. It’s all about reinvigorating myself and doing a good soul search about who I am, what I am all about and what I need to do to be better.”(MWR)(10-22-2009)

Lance Snacks joins Ambrose for 2010 UPDATE 2: Team owner Tad Geschickter has signed up another sponsor for the #47 team and Marcos Ambrose in 2010 - Lance Crackers. This is the second former Nationwide Series team sponsor bargaining for more bang for the buck in the Sprint Cup Series with JTG Daugherty Racing. The company announced Saturday that Kleenex would support their Cup efforts in five races next year.(Fox Sports)(8-26-2009)
UPDATE JTG Daugherty Racing co-owner Tad Geschickter told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway Thursday that Lance Snacks will appear on the hood of Marcos Ambrose's #47 Toyota in three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series next season, with dates to be announced. Geschickter said he has the bulk of next season's schedule sold, and will enter the 2010 season with more sponsorship than he did in 2009 [mentioned needing a sponsor for Pocono].(9-11-2009)
. UPDATE 2: Lance, Inc. formally announced a multi-year agreement to promote their popular Lance Sandwich Crackers and Tom’s Salty Snacks lines through sponsorship of Marcos Ambrose and the JTG/Daugherty Sprint Cup entry. Tom’s executed a limited NASCAR Nationwide Series Sponsorship with the team in 2009 and the results prompted the move to Cup Series Sponsorship. Lance Brand Director, Tommy Ingram said, “JTG/Daugherty Racing is a great organization and has a proven track record of helping brands win with consumers and retailers. We were impressed with the business results from our 2009 partnership and are pleased to take the relationship to the next level with America’s #1 Brand of Sandwich Crackers.”
The Lance and Tom’s Brands will be primary Sponsors for the Ambrose #47 Sprint Cup car in three races and will be associate sponsors in 12 others. Tad Geschickter, Co-owner of JTG/Daugherty said, “After 15 years in the Nationwide Series we are excited about our first year in the Sprint Cup Series with Marcos. We are pleased that Lance will partner with us as we gear up for our second year. Lance Sandwich Crackers and Tom’s Snacks are a great compliment to our other sponsors as we create promotions for race fans and retailers.”
Ambrose, the former Australian driving champion, continues to impress with great on-track performance and a genuine appreciation for the opportunity that NASCAR and his Sponsors are providing. “I’ve raced all over the world and NASCAR is the best form of racing anywhere. I am so thankful to our long-term partners like Kingsford, Clorox and Bush’s Baked Beans. I am equally excited about new partners like Lance and Kleenex joining our family for 2010,” stated Ambrose. “JTG/Daugherty is growing and I’m honored that so many great American Brands are taking notice of our efforts.”(JTG Daugherty Racing)(9-11-2009)

Edwards wrecks in Grand Am race: Carl Edwards’ first foray into the Grand-Am Rolex Series ranks ended before it could hardly begin. Edwards was circling Canada’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve road course on the warmup lap for Saturday’s Montreal 200 sports-car race when a combination of rain and cold, slick tires caused his No. 77 Doran Racing Dallara to lose grip and slide off the track. The incident ended the day early for Edwards and fellow NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Marcos Ambrose, who had teamed up for the event and qualified eighth.(SceneDaily)(8-29-2009)

Kimberly-Clark to Partner with JTG Daugherty Racing in 2010: Kimberly-Clark [Kleenex] announced a partnership with JTG Daugherty Racing for the 2010 season, making it a sponsor of the #47 Toyota NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car driven by Marcos Ambrose. The partnership will commence with the Daytona 500 in February and mark the 16th season Kimberly-Clark has been active in NASCAR. As sponsor, Kimberly-Clark brands will be present on the #47 for the entire 2010 season, serving as the primary sponsor on paint schemes for five races, including Daytona. The move to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series brings to end one of the longest-standing team/sponsor relationships in the Nationwide Series. “Kimberly-Clark has partnered with Baker Curb Racing and that organization for a long time,” Kimberly-Clark's Don Quigley said. “We certainly wish that team the best of luck and expect it to continue finding success. We also hope nothing but the best for Jason Keller in his endeavors both on and off the track. As we graduate up, we will certainly remain fans of the Nationwide Series.”(Kimberly-Clark)(8-22-2009)

Edwards & Ambrose testing sports cars: UPDATE: #99-Carl Edwards and #47-Marcos Ambrose will make their Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 Daytona Prototype testing debut Tuesday, driving the Doran Racing #77 McDonald's Ford Dallara on the North Course at Virginia International Raceway. The next action for the Grand-Am Rolex Series will be the Aug. 29 Montreal 200 in Canada (SPEED Live, 2 p.m. ET), sharing Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.(VIR)(8-18-2009)
UPDATE: NASCAR stars Carl Edwards and Marcos Ambrose will team up in Montreal for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal on August 29. Edwards and Ambrose will co-drive the #77 Ford DP car owned by Doran Enterprises, Inc. in the two-hour race. Aflac is the primary sponsor with Subway as a secondary sponsor for Edwards and iRacing.com and Aussie wines as secondary sponsors for Ambrose. The Montreal 200 at Circuit Gille Villeneuve will precede the Nationwide race next week and marks the duo's debut in the series.(Roush Fenway PR)(8-20-2009)

Ambrose running double duty at Watkins Glen: Last year, Marcos Ambrose became a first-time NASCAR race winner taking the checkered flag in the Nationwide Series Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International, driving for JTG-Daugherty Racing owned by Tad and Jodi Geschickter and Brad Daugherty. For his first Sprint Cup race at The Glen, he started 43rd and finished third in only his third start. Ambrose’s impressive run with Wood Brothers [#21 Ford] landed him his career-best finish by crossing the finish line in third-place. Now, Ambrose is pulling double duty again at the 2.45-mile road course. On Saturday, he climbs behind the wheel of the #47 STP Octane Booster Toyota fielded by JTG-Daugherty Racing and looks to repeat with support from his Sprint Cup Series crew chief Frank Kerr and his #47 Little Debbie Toyota Racing pit crew. Then on Sunday, Ambrose aims to supersede his career-best finish [3rd] matched at Sonoma (Infineon Raceway) this season. Following Pocono on Monday, Ambrose left Monday afternoon straight to Dover International Speedway for a two-day Goodyear tire test. In addition to Ambrose running the Nationwide and Cup Series events, he will be kicking up some dirt at Black Rock Speedway in Dundee, NY on Friday night.(MWR)(8-6-2009)

JTG Daugherty Racing to re-new with Waltrip: Tad Geschickter, owner of the #47 JTG Daugherty Racing Toyota that Marcos Ambrose drives in the Sprint Cup Series, has agreed in principle to extend his partnership with Michael Waltrip Racing 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.(FoxSports)(8-3-2009)

New sponsor for Ambrose at Pocono: The JTG Daugherty Racing #47 Toyota Camry, driven by Australia’s Marcos Ambrose, will race under iRacing.com colors in this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono International Raceway. The announcement of the single-event tie-up between the race team and the motorsport simulation company, which had been widely rumored, was made today by Steve Myers, iRacing’s executive producer, and Tad Geschickter, co-owner of JTG Daugherty Racing. In recognition of this sponsorship, from July 31 through August 4, 2009 iRacing is offering new members a half-price three-month subscription to the service. Included are all of the cars and tracks necessary to complete the rookie and advanced rookie series in both oval and road-racing categories, plus an additional $15.00 value, the Chevrolet Impala SS as raced in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Go to www.iracing.com and hit the “Special Offer” button at the bottom of the page.(JTG-Daugherty Racing), see images of the car on my #47 Team Schemes page.(7-28-2009)

Testing at Road Atlanta: Hearing that drivers testing at Road Atlanta today include #99-Carl Edwards, #6-David Ragan, #16-Colin Braun (subbing for Greg Biffle), #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, #47-Marcos Ambrose, #2-Kurt Busch, #77-Sam Hornish Jr., #12-David Stremme, #13-Max Papis and Boris Said (in John Wes Townley's #09 Nationwide Series Ford which he will run at Watkins Glen).(7-21-2009)
AND: told #7-Robby Gordon was also at the track.(7-21-2009)

JTG/Daugherty not shopping: JTG/Daugherty Racing team owner Tad Geschickter categorically denied that the organization is shopping for a new arrangement for Marcos Ambrose. Ambrose's #47 JTG/Daugherty Toyota team currently operates out of Michael Waltrip Racing. Geschickter said Saturday at NHMS that the arrangement with Waltrip is a one-year deal with an option but emphasized that he isn't looking to move his operation. Rumors had linked JTG/Daugherty with both a possible fourth car at Joe Gibbs Racing or a third car at Stewart-Haas Racing. "We're not shopping," Geschickter said. About reports that sponsor Little Debbie Snacks recently had increased its financial commitment to the team, Geschickter said, "I'm not allowed to talk about the terms of the contract, but they're very happy with our program."(Sporting News)
AND: JTG Daugherty Racing doesn’t have enough sponsorship to continue running Michael McDowell beyond next week’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway, team co-owner Tad Geschickter said Saturday. The team has sponsorship for Marcos Ambrose for the two Nationwide road-course events later this season but beyond that, Geschickter is not sure how many races the #47 car will run over the second half of the season. Tom’s snack company has sponsored the car for much of the first half of the season. Geschickter said the organization is concentrating on its Sprint Cup effort with driver Ambrose. The team is imbedded with Michael Waltrip Racing as part of a technical alliance. Whether that MWR relationship continues remains to be seen. “As far as what we’re doing next year, we haven’t started discussions with them yet,” Geschickter said. “We’ll have to renegotiate for the next year. … They’ve done a really good job. The secret’s been that we have integrated our people into their shop.”(SceneDaily)(6-28-2009)

Ambrose Sports Special Bucket Hat for Aussie Army: This week #47-Marcos Ambrose received a letter and a camouflage Army bucket that he is wearing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway that came from the Australian Embeds Task Force 633 International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan. Since arriving in Afghanistan, the Task Force has been following the success of the JTG-Daugherty Racing team and Ambrose. The letter expressed thanks to JTG-Daugherty Racing for their support of the Australian troops and of an Australian driver. They also thanked the team for reminding them of the ‘enjoyable things in life’ and ‘making a difference in their lives.’
“Some Aussie troops from Afghanistan sent the bucket hat to me as a good luck charm for this weekend at New Hampshire,” said Ambrose, who wore the hat yesterday on his flight to Manchester and today in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage. “I’m wearing it to support them and they’ve been wearing my Little Debbie hat to support us. They wished us the best of luck this season and told us that they have our backs.”(MWR)(6-28-2009)

MWR Owner to broadcast from England: Even though Rob Kauffman [co-owner of MWR] will be in London, England, he will be watching closely as he makes his color commentator debut in the UK during the Sprint Cup Series Lenox Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway live on Sky Sports alongside presenter Keith Huewen and British Racing driver John Mickel, who has previously raced in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. “Michael Waltrip gave me some pointers being that it is my first time as a color analyst,” Kauffman said. “He said, ‘First, don’t make anything up and second try not to be boring.” Sky Sports broadcasts NASCAR Sprint Cup races across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Sky Sports takes the feed via a satellite from the U.S. and supplements the coverage with their studio presentation. One night while watching the show, Kauffman emailed in to compliment Sky Sports’ coverage. The show's producer, Dawn White, then contacted Kauffman and invited him to be a part of Sunday’s show since he is co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing.(MWR)(6-27-2009)

Ambrose to be featured on Sixty Minutes (Australia): #47-Marcos Ambrose will featured on Sixty Minutes on the Nine Network at 7.30pm this Sunday. A Sixty Minutes crew, headed by reporter Peter Overton, was treated to a “fly on the wall” experience with Ambrose at a NASCAR event in the US. The crew began their experience at Ambrose’s home in Charlotte, North Carolina where they spent some time with his wife Sonja and two young daughters. Ambrose then treated them to an afternoon of gold panning at the site of North America’s first gold discovery at Reed Mine just outside of Charlotte – panning is one of Ambrose’s sources of relaxation in his otherwise hectic life. For those fans outside of Australia, the Sixty Minutes website hosts a collection of online segments each week, so keep an eye on www.MarcosAmbrose.com for links to video coverage.(JTG-Daugherty Racing)(6-12-2009)

New sponsor for Ambrose UPDATE: the entry list has RaceSavers.com listed as #47-Marcos Ambrose sponsor for the Autism Speaks 400 at Dover International Speedway.(5-26-2009)
UPDATE: During the Autism Speaks 400 weekend at Dover International Speedway Marcos Ambrose’s #47 JTG-Daugherty Racing Toyota will have a new paint scheme and primary sponsor with RaceSavers.com. RaceSavers.com is a website that offers race fans coupons and discounts on their favorite brands of consumer packaged goods and services. It also has a sweepstakes page where fans can enter to win behind the scenes access to races throughout the season.(MWR), see an image of the scheme on my #47 Team Schemes Page.(5-28-2009)