Ambrose 22nd in rain delayed Stater Bros 300 at Fontana.

Marcos Ambrose has toughed it out on a trying day to finish 22nd in the Stater Bros 300 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California today.

Ambrose was never able to get the #59 Kingsford Hickory Ford Fusion handling well around the 2.0-mile oval but pressed on to record an all important finish and add 97 points to his championship tally.

The Australian driver started the race, which was delayed for two-straight days due to rain, from 18th position after the starting order was set by 2007 owner’s points due to qualifying also being rained out.

In the first half of the race Ambrose went down one lap but soon regained his position on the lead lap when he was the ‘Lucky Dog’ – the first driver one lap down – during a caution period.

From there Ambrose tried his best to tune his race car but the 31-year-old was unable to gain any significant improvements in the handling and he pushed on to finish in 22nd position out of 42 starters. Ambrose allowed race leader Tony Stewart passed on the penultimate lap to give Stewart a clear run to the finish and make Ambrose the first car to finish the race one lap down.

The finish lifted Ambrose nine spots in the points standings to 29th place after two events, with prizemoney of US$79,921 (A$86,120) so far this season.

Stewart won his second-consecutive NASCAR Nationwide Series race today at Auto Club Speedway (formerly California Speedway) ahead of Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick.

Ambrose will be back in action in four days time when practice begins for the Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Marcos Ambrose – #59 Kingsford Hickory Ford Fusion

"We had a testing day,� said Ambrose.

“We didn't have the practice that we would have liked, but that's the same with everybody. We missed a day and just struggled and struggled.

“We finished and the car is in one piece. It wasn't a great day for us, but we'll take it.

“Now we have a finish on the board and a few more points to our name. This is not the kind of result that we were looking for but I am sure we will do better at Las Vegas in a few days time.�