MARCOS Ambrose has re-signed with his NASCAR team Richard Petty Motorsports for 2013 after recording another consistent season in the top-level US motor sport competition.
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The Launceston-born racer finished in 13th place in the final race of the Sprint Cup series at the Miami speedway overnight after qualifying second, but starting on pole when fastest qualifier Joey Logano was forced to start from pit lane in his back-up car.
Ambrose was an early leader, but had mid-race handling issues and had to coast over the finish line with a dry fuel tank.
``We were off with the car handling in the middle part of the race, but we finished 13th and we'll take it,'' Ambrose said.
``We've got a foundation to work off for next year.''
Ambrose took over the number 9 Ford at Richard Petty Motorsports at the beginning of 2011 and has won two races, and in 154 ?NASCAR starts has had 15 top-five finishes and 33 top-10 finishes.
``We had success this year and recently have made plans to get better for 2013 and beyond,'' the 36-year-old said.
``It was great to win at Watkins Glen, earn my first two poles and also have the ?opportunity to make the `Chase' this year.''
The Chase is a 10-race series for the top-12 drivers who compete for the Sprint Cup.
Ambrose finished the 36-race Sprint Cup series 18th overall, a similar result to 2011, but was the fastest qualifier for two ?races in a season that saw three major changes to his support crew.
His winnings of nearly $4.7 million was also a similar result to 2011.
Ambrose became RPM's lead driver this year and in 2013 will again team with Aric Almirola who was also re-signed.
?Almirola completed his first season in the Sprint Cup in 20th place.
Ambrose was the Australian V8 Supercar champion in 2003 and 2004 and now lives in Kannapolis in North Carolina with his wife Sonja and daughters Tabitha and Adelaide.