MONTREAL (AP) -- Carl Edwards was as shocked as anyone.
"I can't believe I won the race,'' Edwards said Sunday after making a stunning pass of Marcos Ambrose on the final turn of the Nationwide race at Montreal. "I just figured he'd take off and run away with it. I guess that goes to show you never give up.''
It was another lost opportunity at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for Ambrose, who has had a chance to win all three Nationwide races conducted on the street circuit since NASCAR began racing here in 2007.
The despair was real on a day that started in sunshine and turned to gloom.
Thoughts, ramblings and more from a 500 lapper in Thunder Valley.
Marcos Ambrose is certainly making a name for himself in the Sprint Cup Series, and the way he's doing it is just mind-boggling.
His Michael Waltrip Racing-prepared cars aren't on level with Hendrick, Roush or Gibbs and the guy truly has less experience in NASCAR-style stock cars than just about every driver out there. Yet, he's compiled 4 Top-5s and 7 Top-10s with a team that has obviously worked quite hard.
Got a drought? Book ya some NASCAR. But for now, enjoy some Notes & Quotes.
Marcos Ambrose tried his best to make my prediction come true Sunday with a second-place finish. Tires and pit strategy, though, seemed to keep him from really battling Tony Stewart for the win.
Regardless, Ambrose may be ultra-talented on the road courses but look for his No. 47 to a be strong contender to make the Chase in 2010. Dude really is that good -- in everything he drives.
Surprisingly enough, Sunday's rainout at Watkins Glen was just the second time since 1986 that the Sprint Cup Series had a race affected by precipitation at that track. Kyle Petty won the 1992 event in shortened fashion when the race was called after 51 of the 90 laps.
Where: Watkins Glen Int'l Raceway Time: Monday 12:00pm/EDT TV/Radio: ESPN, Motor Racing Network Twitter: Updates @ FanHouseRacing Monday Forecast: 88 degrees, 40% Rain Distance: 90 laps (220.5 miles) Pole Winner:Jimmie Johnson 2008 Winner: Kyle Busch
The Storylines
We talked a little bit about Marcos Ambrose this week on FanHouse and how he appears to be a good pick to win his first race Sunday at Watkins Glen. Well, after practice, qualifying and Saturday's Nationwide race it's become obvious: you'd be crazy to not look at Marcos Ambrose as a favorite.
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) -- A year ago Marcos Ambrose used pit strategy to win at Watkins Glen International. The second time around he used a little aggression.
The hard-charging Tasmanian passed series points leader Kyle Busch with a daring move through the chicane Saturday and won the Nationwide Zippo 200 for the second straight year for JTG-Daugherty Racing.
Heading to a road course as a solid pick -- possibly even a favorite -- isn't anything new for the former Australia V8 Supercar champion.
But to do it in the United States, as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver in his first full year of competition and as a reigning support series winner at Watkins Glen International Raceway has to be quite the welcoming feeling for a guy who uprooted his whole family to chase a dream.
Perhaps, you could say, Saturday's practice sessions had more twists and turns than the 10-turn road course they happened on.
An favorite, an underdog and a three-time champion were all involved in incidents that should have a good bit of effect on Sunday's 110-lapper at Infineon Raceway, and a rookie even got punted in the support race to accentuate a wild day.
Bass designed the paint job on the Gibson Les Paul guitar, only to see Busch whack it against the concrete numerous times in what amounts to a poor way to honor his team members.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s performance -- or lack thereof -- in 2009 has become a contentious debate, last weekend's Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway lacked the pizazz we're used to at Bristol and a few drivers have struggled to put forth results that'll leave you scratching your head.
Find out as FH's Wheel2Wheel takes a look at NASCAR's current stories and issues. Read on to see what we've got to say, and when you're done, tell us exactly how we're wrong. It'll be more fun than sneaking your family sedan on to Daytona's high banks for a late night joyride.
MONTREAL (AP) -- Carl Edwards was as shocked as anyone.
Thoughts, ramblings and more from a 500 lapper in Thunder Valley.
Got a drought? Book ya some 
Race: Heluva Good! @ the Glen
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) -- A year ago 
Marcos Ambrose
Perhaps, you could say, Saturday's practice sessions had more twists and turns than the 10-turn road course they happened on.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
