MWR switching to No. 47 with Ambrose at Atlanta

Michael Waltrip Racing is switching to the No. 47 for the final four races of the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season, and Marcos Ambrose is scheduled to drive for the organization at Atlanta with Little Debbie as primary sponsor.

MWR will return the No. 44 to Petty Enterprises, with MWR's No. 00 taking the points of the No. 44 in 2009.

Ambrose

"It's really nice to have a head start on the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season and integrate Marcos with our team," Waltrip said. "We are pleased that NASCAR worked with us to switch our number so that Marcos and his sponsors have continuity. I, of all people, know the importance of car numbers to sponsors. We are very appreciative that everything worked out. This is a great opportunity for Marcos and it gives him a glimpse of what next season may look like for him. We are really happy about that."

Ambrose has two Nationwide Series starts and a Craftsman Truck Series start at Atlanta.

"I feel good about making the race at Atlanta," Ambrose said. "Fortunately, I have made some laps at Atlanta in a NASCAR Nationwide Series car and a Craftsman Truck. Next weekend, we need to qualify, log some laps and gain experience. In preparation, we're going to Kentucky to test to ensure that I am comfortable in the car."

JTG-Daugherty Racing, co-owned by Tad and Jodi Geschickter and former NBA All-Star and ESPN broadcaster Brad Daugherty, announced earlier this month that they will field Toyotas during its inaugural Sprint Cup campaign in 2009, after forming a technical alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing and Toyota Racing Development.

The team will operate out of MWR's 140,000-square foot facility in Cornelius, N.C., and receive cars, engineering, mechanical and other technical support from MWR's existing infrastructure.