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Marcos Ambrose has proved consistently fast in practice for the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina today.

Ambrose was in the top 15 in all three practice sessions held at the 1.366-mile speedway, which has undergone repaving work since the NASCAR Nationwide Series last visited the egg-shaped speedway known as ‘Too Tough To Tame’.

The Australian 11th in first practice, followed by ninth fastest in second practice and then 13th fastest in final practice in the #59 Kingsford Hickory Ford Fusion.

Ambrose noted that the recently resurfaced Darlington seems to drive similar to prior to the repaving, but that the speeds have significantly increased due to the smoothness and grip of the new surface.

Brad Keselowski topped first practice at Darlington today, with Denny Hamlin fastest in the following two sessions.

Qualifying and the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 will be held at Darlington Raceway tomorrow.

Marcos Ambrose - #59 Kingsford Hickory Ford Fusion

“We were fast all day today in practice and it was a good day all round,” said Ambrose.

“We sustained a little bit of damage at the end but nothing too major. We will be OK for tomorrow.

“Hopefully we can pick up where we left off when we roll out tomorrow.

“The new surface seems to drive exactly the same as Darlington used to before the repaving, the difference is that you are carrying a lot more speed and going faster.”