Marcos Ambrose is hoping that impressive testing form at Richmond International Raceway in March will carry through to the Lipton Tea 250 in Richmond, Virginia this weekend.

Ambrose had a productive two-day test at the 0.75-mile oval when NASCAR Nationwide Series teams tested at Richmond on March 24-25.

The Australian found improvement in the #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion over the course of the two days, with impressive times on the second day of the test netting the 31-year-old 13th fastest in the afternoon session and then fourth fastest in the evening session on the final day.

That fourth fastest time under lights at Richmond could prove crucial, as this weekend’s 250-lap race will be also be held at night.

Having a car that is strong right from the beginning of proceedings will be vital in Richmond, with practice, qualifying and the Lipton Tea 250 all held on the same day, giving teams minimal time to work on improvements and contemplate car set-up.

Ambrose is within reach of a place in the top 10 in the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series standings as he works hard at turning around a below par start to the season.

Second place in Mexico City a fortnight ago gave Ambrose his best-ever NASCAR finish and last weekend at Talladega Superspeedway Ambrose looked on track for another strong result until becoming an innocent victim of a massive 15-car accident.

Marcos Ambrose - #59 Kingsford Hickory Ford Fusion

“You are really going to need to have things going right from the start of practice in Richmond,” said Ambrose.

“It’s a one-day race and you have even less time to get the car right. It’s going to be a weekend where there is a little bit of luck involved.

“We are just going to start off with the set-up we had at the end of the Richmond test in March. On the second day there we got a lot of improvement out of the car and in the last session we were a top five car.

“Hopefully that speed carries through to this weekend. I’m really keen to keep racking up those points and when the opportunity comes, really push hard for a strong top five finish.”

2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Standings - After Race 10 of 35
1. Clint Bowyer 1427
2. Car Edwards 1400
3. Kyle Busch 1388
4. David Reutimann 1298
5. Mike Bliss 1282
6. David Ragan 1274
7. Brad Keselowski 1252
8. Jason Leffler 1227
9. Mike Wallace 1173
10. Bobby Hamilton Jr 1055
14. Marcos Ambrose 1022