WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Marcos Ambrose took advantage of a fortuitous pit stop midway through the Nationwide Zippo 200 today and easily beat Kyle Busch for his first career NASCAR victory.

Ambrose, from Tasmania, was in the pits on lap 42 when the fourth caution of the 82-lap race flew. He gained the lead on lap 48 but gave it up right away to pit for fuel.

Ambrose slowly worked his way up to third with 12 laps to go as Jeff Burton and Jimmie Johnson battled for the lead. But the two leaders ran out of fuel with three laps remaining and Ambrose coasted to the victory in the No. 59 Ford.

Ambrose was third last week in the rain in Montreal after leading the most laps and second on the road course in Mexico.