During down time, driver traverses U.S. panning for gold

Marcos Ambrose’s ultimate treasure is to win his first NASCAR race and compete for a championship.

Ambrose, though, wouldn’t mind finding a real treasure along the way.

SOUTHERN 500 SPECIAL EDITION

Make sure you pick up a copy of the Morning News on Thursday. Inside you’ll find the 2009 Southern 500 preview pullout featuring everything you need to know on race day.
This year, they take a special look at the hobbies that keep drivers busy when they aren’t behind the wheel. All week, we’ll be publishing those stories online here at scnow.com.

MONDAY: Mark Martin, fitness fanatic
TUESDAY: Scott Speed, fashion guru and remote control car enthusiast
WEDNESDAY: Marcos Ambrose pans for gold
THURSDAY: Sam Hornish brings vintage cars back to life

In addition, this special edition will have recaps of past races, facts, figures, and more drivers and their hobbies - it's coverage of the Southern 500 you can only find Thursday in the Morning News.

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Over the last couple years, the Australian native and Sprint Cup driver has picked up the hobby of panning for gold.

“A neighbor of mine told me about it and I thought it was really intriguing,” Ambrose said. “I’m a big fan of history. When I came to America, I started reading and watching about the gold rush.”

For Ambrose, panning for gold is about more than just finding the treasure. It’s about the journey and getting the chance to read and go to historic places where discoveries have been made.

“I love the story of the old-timers,” Ambrose said. “It’s a pretty cool story. It really is.

“It kind of gets you back in the history of America and really the world.”

Some of Ambrose’s friends don’t know what to make of the Aussie’s hobby. ESPN analyst Brad Daugherty, who also is the co-owner of Ambrose’s Cup and Nationwide team, has yet to take his driver up on an invitation to go searching for gold.

“That stuff is nuts. I ain’t going mining for gold,” Daugherty said. “Now if they find some gold, I’m all for helping him carry it. But I’m not going to go into the mountains mining for gold.”

The demands of a 38-race schedule, various sponsor appearances and two children don’t leave Ambrose much time to pursue the hobby as much other gold enthusiasts.

Lately, Ambrose gets out only a few hours every couple weeks.

“Racing is No. 1 right now,” said Ambrose, who recorded his best Cup finish — fourth — at Talladega two weeks ago. “But when I’m traveling, especially to the left coast, I pop open a book and read up on it.”

Ambrose relies on word of mouth, books and the Internet for places to pan.

Some of Ambrose’s travels in North Carolina include Charlotte, Kings Mountain, Shelby and outside Raleigh. He also has ventured into Virginia.

Ambrose says he doesn’t use the sophisticated tools, just usually a shovel and pan. He said he has found “enough to pay for the hobby,” but still holds out hope of making the big find.

“If I would find a big nugget, I would be in the Bahamas for sure,” Ambrose said with a laugh. “But even if we don’t, it’s still something fun to do.”