Ambrose Wins NASCAR Race Pole

Marcos Ambrose is not yet a household name among NASCAR drivers. But being the fastest driver in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series two weeks in a row is helping to change that.

Two weeks ago, Marcos Ambrose had never won a Sprint Cup Series pole. Then he won the pole at Michigan International Speedway. Now he has two in a row.

In qualifying for Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma, Ambrose set the fast time to win the top starting position on the 1.99 mile road course. Jeff Gordon will start second. Gordon has more road course race wins than anyone with nine victories.

Ambrose has been strong on road courses. His only NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win came last year on the road course at Watkins Glen here in New York. Last week's pole win at MIS showed Ambrose and the Stanley No. 9 Ford are improving on ovals too.

Since he is considered somewhat of a road course specialist, maybe Ambrose will make another headline this weekend with a win to add to his qualifying success.

Points leader Matt Kenseth will start ninth. Last week's race winner at MIS, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. qualified 19th.

Here is the complete race lineup.