MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- You've got to admire Marcos Ambrose and feel a little sorry for him at the same time.

Ambrose is one of two drivers most caught in the middle by the problems that have beset Richard Petty Motorsports, leaving him wondering about his future. He signed a multi-year deal with RPM in August -- a deal that he admits may be in jeopardy because of financial difficulties the organization is experiencing.

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They've obviously had a pretty trying week over there at RPM. I hope they pull through OK. It's stuff really that's outside of my control, and I've just got to hope it works out my way.

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-- MARCOS AMBROSE

Yet he remains loyal. Hence, the urge to both admire and feel sorry for him at the same time in this uncertain situation.

"At this stage, as we stand here today, I've told everybody over at RPM that as long as the boat's floating, I'm standing on it with them. I'm fully committed to them. As soon as they tell me the boat has sunk, then I'll try to jump off and swim ashore," Ambrose said Friday at Martinsville Speedway, where he qualified the No. 47 Toyota he currently drives for JTG/Daugherty Racing on the front row for Sunday's TUMS Fast Relief 500.

Speculation was flying Friday about RPM's future beyond this weekend. Some sources in the garage contended the organization might not have one beyond this weekend. Others said that, contrary to published reports, RPM was up to date on payments to Roush Fenway Racing for engines and other parts and was set at least to survive through the following race at Talladega. Boris Said, who owns the shop space RPM operates out of in the Roush Fenway complex in Concord, N.C., confirmed that the organization is up to date in its rent payments.

A RPM spokesperson said that most team officials stayed behind Friday at the team shop, "working diligently" toward securing "a sustainable future."

Ambrose said he has been in constant contact with RPM officials since signing his contract -- and even more so in recent days because of the latest developments. He confirmed what one other source also said, that the recent sale by RPM majority owner George Gillett of the Liverpool soccer club -- a sale that did not generate nearly the revenue Gillett had hoped and ended up also costing him considerable attorney fees when he contested it in court -- has impacted the cash flow situation at RPM.

"I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I knew what was happening and I knew the risks I was taking when I signed on -- knowing the exposure, I guess, from the impending Liverpool sale and the consequences whichever way it went," said Ambrose, who currently is 26th in points in the Cup Series. "So I was aware of it. I knew the risks. It's not like I jumped in naively. I understood the risks. It is what it is today. I hope they get it all worked out and I look forward to being part of their program in 2011." (Continued)