Marcos Ambrose will not return to Richard Petty Motorsports in 2015

Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) announced Saturday morning that driver Marcos Ambrose will be returning to Australia, and will not drive the No. 9 car in 2015.

Ambrose, who is in his seventh year of Sprint Cup Series racing, is known for his road course skills, with both of his career wins coming at Watkins Glen (2011, 2012).

According to the team, the decision to leave the team was Ambrose’s.

RPM says they are “currently evaluating several drivers opporunties to help the No. 9 team forward.” The names that continually appear to be popping up to drive the No. 9 car next season are Sam Hornish Jr., David Ragan or Regan Smith.

Full press release from RPM:

Richard Petty Motorsports announced today the No. 9 team will move forward with a new driver in 2015. Marcos Ambrose, who has been with RPM since 2011, has informed the organization that he will return to his native home of Australia in 2015, reportedly to drive for a new Aussie V8 Supercar team co-owned by Roger Penske. 

RPM is currently evaluating several driver opportunities to help drive the No. 9 team forward and will make an announcement at the appropriate time.  

Richard Petty, co-owner of Richard Petty Motorsports, expressed thanks to Ambrose for his dedication to the team. 

"Marcos will always be a part of our extended racing family," said Petty. "He came over to the United States with his family and dedicated his time here to giving it the best he had each week. I couldn't ask anything more from Marcos and his commitment on and off of the track to our race team and our partners. Away from the track, he's a family person first. That's something I respect and we'll miss Marcos, Sonja and their children." 

Ambrose will depart the team as one of the most successful drivers to ever race under the Petty banner. He is recognized as one of the best road course racers in NASCAR history, most notably at Watkins Glen International, where he has six NASCAR wins.