Marcos Ambrose

Marcos Ambrose is an esteemed Australian former racing driver best known for his dominance in V8 Supercars and pioneering success in NASCAR. After honing his skills in go-karting—where he claimed multiple Tasmanian junior titles and the 1995 Australian karting championship—Ambrose progressed through the Formula Ford ranks, winning the European Formula Ford championship in 1999.

Ambrose returned to Australia to race with Stone Brothers Racing in the V8 Supercars Championship, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2001 and back-to-back series titles in 2003 and 2004 with a total of 25 wins and numerous podiums.

In 2006, Ambrose moved to the United States to pursue a NASCAR career. Beginning in the Craftsman Truck Series and advancing through the Nationwide Series, he became the first Australian driver to win at NASCAR’s top level. He captured multiple victories on the challenging Watkins Glen road course—four in the Nationwide Series and two in the Sprint Cup (2011 and 2012)—in addition to making history with a top qualifying speed at Michigan, marking NASCAR’s fastest lap in 25 years.

After competing full-time in NASCAR until 2014—including strong showings with multiple top-ten finishes and poles—Ambrose returned to Australia and briefly raced again with DJR Team Penske in V8 Supercars before retiring from professional driving in 2015.

Since stepping away from full-time competition, Ambrose has built a fulfilling life back in Tasmania. He turned to business ventures—such as investing in commercial property and creating the Thousand Lakes Lodge resort—and continues to share his motorsports passion as a coach, commentator, and competition director with Garry Rogers Motorsport, while also nurturing his daughters’ early racing careers.