Marcos Ambrose was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 1 O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway. Ambrose finished third, his best effort in nine career starts. He took top rookie honors for the first time this season and scored the best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in 2006. Erik Darnell leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by 11 points (102-91) over Chad McCumbee entering the July 8 Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky Speedway. Todd Kluever was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Built Ford Tough 225, posting a 12th-place finish on the lead lap. Rookie contender point standings; Erik Darnell 102; Chad McCumbee 91; Aric Almirola 90; Kyle Krisiloff 70; Joey Miller 68; Erin Crocker 68; Boston Reid 65; Bobby East 63; Marcos Ambrose 57; Kerry Earnhardt 52; Kraig Kinser 42; Robert Richardson 38; Scott Lagasse Jr. 28; Michel Jourdain Jr. 13; Ryan Moore 13; Sean Murphy 12; J.R. Patton 3; Tam Topham 1.(Raybestos PR)(7-5-2006)
