NASCAR at the Glen 2012 Results: Reaction, Leaders and Post-Race Analysis

Marcus Ambrose won his second consecutive race at Watkins Glen International with a dazzling pass on the race's final lap. 

Ambrose overtook Brad Keselowski on the race's final lap to win an extremely exciting race. Both riders were riding behind Kyle Busch entering the final lap, but Busch's slip-up on the first turn allowed both drivers to push through to the front of the pack. 

The victory was the first of the Sprint Cup season for Ambrose. Overcoming a top-five driver in Keselowski was an accomplishment.

The excitement in this race's final lap cannot be overstated. Busch raced an excellent race, but he lost oil when it mattered most. This created the drama that led to Ambrose's victory.

Ambrose is No. 17 in the Sprint Cup standings after this victory. With the chase coming down to the quick, every point matters.

Let's take a look at how the top 10 looked by race's end:

Results

*Standings courtesy of ESPN.com

POS	DRIVER	CAR	MANUFACTURER
1	Marcos Ambrose	9	Ford
2	Brad Keselowski	2	Dodge
3	Jimmie Johnson	48	Chevrolet
4	Clint Bowyer	15	Toyota
5	Sam Hornish Jr.	22	Dodge
6	Greg Biffle	16	Ford
7	Kyle Busch	18	Toyota
8	Matt Kenseth	17	Ford
9	Regan Smith	78	Chevrolet
10	Martin Truex Jr.	56	Toyota

Twitter Reaction

You've already heard my reaction to this exciting race. Now let's see what the Twitter universe had to say.

Fellow NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. expressed his congratulations to Ambrose following the race:

"

Awesome last lap at Watkins Glenn!! Congrats to @marcosambrose @teamfordracing for sweeping the weekend!!! #NASCAR

— Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) August 12, 2012"

Stenhouse takes part in the Nationwide Series and didn't participate in Sunday's race, but congratulations from your peers is always nice.

ESPN NASCAR shed some light on Keselowski's feelings following his heartbreaking loss:

"

.@keselowski says that's racing as it should be as he and @marcosambrose could lean on each other on final lap. #NASCAR

— NASCARESPN (@NASCARESPN) August 12, 2012"

It's good to see Keselowski's positive attitude. One look at Twitter will quickly make you understand how incredible this race's finish was, and it's good to see Keselowski recognize its greatness.

NASCAR crew chief Rodney Childers provided some humor after the race:

"

I think that makes Marco's avg finish at Watkins Glen now 1.7, he will be good there one day..

— Rodney Childers (@rchilders55) August 12, 2012"

Like I said before, Ambrose won here last year. He's very good on this street course.

With that, I'll leave you with one more tweet to put Ambrose's victory into a historical perspective. ESPN Stats and Info tweeted this interesting tidbit:

"

Marcos Ambrose: 2nd career NSCS win (won last 2 @ Watkins Glen). He's 2nd foreign-born driver with multiple NSCS wins (Juan Pablo Montoya)

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 12, 2012"

That certainly makes this victory more important for Ambrose. Montoya is a major racing name, and that lands him in elite company.