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WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- A year ago Marcos Ambrose used pit strategy to win at Watkins Glen International. The second time around he used a little aggression.

The hard-charging Tasmanian passed series points leader Kyle Busch with a daring move through the chicane Saturday and won the Nationwide Zippo 200 for the second straight year for JTG-Daugherty Racing.

It was the 10th consecutive top-two finish in Nationwide for Busch, breaking the series record set by Jack Ingram in 1983. Carl Edwards was third, followed by pole-sitter Kevin Harvick and Canadian road racer Ron Fellows. Jeffrey Earnhardt, grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt, finished 24th in his Nationwide debut.

Ambrose stalked Busch for 12 laps and finally passed him entering the chicane at the top of the high-speed esses.

"I had to surprise him," Ambrose said after just his second NASCAR victory. "We didn't have the top-end speed to make a classic pass. I knew I had to bomb him some way."

STRUGGLING: It's almost difficult to remember that Matt Kenseth won the first two races of the Cup season. Now, he's just trying to maintain his position in the top 12 in points to qualify for the Chase for the championship.

After his triumphs at Daytona and California, Kenseth finished last at Las Vegas and has had six other finishes of 20th or worse. He ranks 11th in points, just one point ahead of Roush Fenway Racing teammate Greg Biffle but is upbeat after finishing 10th and 11th in the past two races.

"I feel like we're a little bit better, but it's not where we want to be," said Kenseth. "I mean, we haven't been a legitimate contender to win a race in a long time, and I know the team is capable of winning. We want to get back to that point but, certainly, we need to walk before we can run."

WHOA HAAS: Tony Stewart's amazing new team seems likely to remain a two-car operation.

Although Stewart likely would have a host of several drivers to choose from, a third car for the Stewart-Haas operation in 2010 is still up in the air.

"I don't think we've ruled that out yet, but it's getting to the point of the season where if we're going to have a third team for next season, it would have to happen pretty quickly," Stewart said. "At least having the sponsor and driver lined up to make sure we have an adequate amount of time to get all the tools and pieces in place for next year. But I would say it's not very likely."

Stewart-Haas was formed when Stewart assumed ownership of half of an existing team late last year, and the two-time Cup champ said the original goal was a possible expansion.

LALLY'S LA-LA LAND: Road racer Andy Lally will finally realize a lifelong dream today, racing for the first time in Sprint Cup, and the 34-year-old road racer from Long Island was ecstatic after qualifying 15th.

"This is something I've wanted to do ever since I was a little kid," said Lally, a three-time champion in the Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series.

"I am not going to Disneyland yet," said Lally, who is driving the No. 71 for TRG Motorsports team owner Kevin Buckler. David Gilliland, the regular driver of that car, failed to make the 43-car field.

PIT STOPS: Marcos Ambrose was fastest in final Cup practice Saturday, just ahead of pole-sitter Jimmie Johnson. ... Several cars spun out in Saturday's final practices. David Stremme slid off course twice on one lap but avoided contact both times, Sam Hornish Jr. spun in turn 11, and Boris Said slid off course during practice and into a gravel pit in the chicane.