Marcos Ambrose won't return to Richard Petty Motorsports in 2015

JOLIET, Ill. — As an Australian who came to NASCAR relatively late in his racing career, simply making it to Sprint Cup was a feat for Marcos Ambrose. He managed to win a couple of races along the way, too.

Now feeling that his progress as a racer has stalled, and with life in his native country tugging at him and his family, Ambrose says it's time for him to leave. Richard Petty Motorsports announced Saturday morning that Ambrose would not return in 2015.

"I feel like my level has plateaued at the Sprint Cup level," Ambrose said Saturday, speaking to reporters in the garage area at Chicagoland Speedway. "I haven't kicked off to the next level. And so I always said that if I felt like I'd flattened off my learning curve, or my success, that I was only in U.S. to race to win. And when I felt like I wasn't going to be able to contend like I wanted, that I need to look at my situation. That has certainly been the case. It's been a tough couple of years on the racetrack for me, and my family, personal situation is clear."

Hoping to give his children a better sense of life in his home country, the 38-year-old will return to his native Australia. While he would not discuss his future racing plans, there has been speculation that he will be part of a team in the Australian V8 Supercar series owned by American racing mogul Roger Penske.

Team Penske president Tim Cindric posted on his Twitter account that the team would have a teleconference Monday for an update on the team's plans with the Australian racing series.

"Today's not the day to talk about my racing future," Ambrose said. "I just feel like personally, this is the right choice for myself and my family to call it a day here in the U.S., and move on to the next chapter."

RPM is "evaluating several driver opportunities" for its No. 9 car in 2015.

"Marcos will always be a part of our extended racing family," said NASCAR icon Richard Petty, who co-owns the team. "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."

While continuing to race in NASCAR likely would be more financially rewarding than racing in Australia, Ambrose said the decision wasn't about money.

"This is not a financial decision at all," Ambrose said. "This is a personal choice."

Ambrose has two career Sprint Cup Series victories -- both at Watkins Glen, a road course. He also has five wins in the Nationwide Series, including three at Watkins Glen and two at Montreal, another road course.

"It's been fantastic," Ambrose said. "I mean, I never thought that would have achieved what I have done. I made it to the Sprint Cup level and I survived for a number of years. I've had some wins. Haven't had enough. And I feel like I was up against it early on, just from my background."

Ambrose came to the Petty team at a turbulent time, as an ill-fated merger with the former Evernham Motorsports team under the ownership of businessman George Gillett was going awry and threatened the legendary Petty team's existence.

"I feel like I've left them better than when I entered with them," Ambrose said. "I feel like I've contributed to their turnaround. They've been a great team, they're moving forward, they've got a car in the Chase this year, they've won races. And when I first joined them, in the turmoil of the Gillett changeover, there was a lot of gray clouds circling around them. They're on a great path. I wish them the best, and I value Richard's friendship greatly, and the family, and everybody here at RPM. They're a great company and I wish them the most success."

Sunday's race at Chicagoland Speedway is the first race of the season-ending Chase. Teammate Aric Almirola qualified for the Chase with his summer victory at Daytona.Ambrose isn't eligible for the Chase but will try to get the most out of the last 10 races of the season; while he didn't close the door on occasional returns to drive road course races, this could be it for him in NASCAR.

"I'm just going to really enjoy it, and I'm just going to enjoy my time at Pettys and enjoy the last few races on these high-speed ovals," Ambrose said. "It's an incredible feeling to drive a Sprint Cup car at these speeds on these kinds of race tracks, and I will miss it, no doubt about it."

So what won't he miss?

"I'll enjoy some off weekends," Ambrose said. "How about that? That'll be nice."

Follow Jenkins on Twitter @ByChrisJenkins