Archive for the ‘2018 Press Releases’ Category

FORD DRIVER LINEUP FOR THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS ANNOUNCED

Posted on: February 24th, 2018
Location: post

MOORESVILLE, NC, February 24, 2018 – Ford Chip Ganassi Racing has announced the 12 drivers who will race the four Ford GTs at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this summer.

*Courtesy Ford Performance

MATT KENSETH RETURNS TO ROUSH FENWAY RACING

Posted on: April 25th, 2018
Location: post

CONCORD, NC, April 25, 2018 – NASCAR champion Matt Kenseth will return home to the organization where he began his NASCAR career, piloting Roush Fenway Racing’s flagship No. 6 Ford Fusion. Kenseth will share the No. 6 ride with current driver Trevor Bayne for a part of the remaining 2018 season.

Kenseth will also have a new sponsor, with the team announcing a multi-year partnership with Wyndham Rewards®, the award-winning loyalty program of Wyndham Hotel Group, as a new primary sponsor on the No. 6.

“It’s a great feeling to return to where it all started for me in the Cup Series,” said Kenseth. “There aren’t many people who have been more influential in my racing career than Jack Roush and Mark Martin. For them to believe in me today means almost as much as it did when they believed in me the first time, 20 years ago. I’m excited to get to the shop, get back to work, and help Roush Fenway return to prominence in the NASCAR Cup Series.”

Kenseth piloted Jack Roush’s No. 17 Ford for 13 seasons and brought home the team’s first Cup championship in 2003 as well as its historic 300th victory with a 2012 Daytona 500 win. One of the most accomplished drivers of NASCAR’s modern era, Kenseth boasts 39 NASCAR Cup victories. He is one of only six drivers in the sport’s 75-year history to win a Cup Championship, the Cup Rookie of the Year Award and the Daytona 500 and Talladega 500.

“We are very pleased to welcome Matt back to Roush Fenway,” said team co-owner Jack Roush. “Matt is one of the guys who really put us on the map of the racing landscape. He’s one of the most talented drivers to ever sit inside a race car and his will to win, drive and determination have always embodied what we strive for as an organization.”

COUNT DOWN TO LE MANS 2018

Posted on: June 5th, 2018
Location: post

MOORESVILLE, NC – June 5, 2018 – When the 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours gets underway next week (June 16-17) the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team will face its greatest challenge yet. The class in which the Ford GTs compete at Le Mans – ‘GTE Pro’ – now boasts 17 of the world’s best GT cars and 51 of the world’s fastest racing drivers, making it the fiercest competition the team has faced so far.

Now in the third year of its successful Ford GT race programme, which has seen Ford Chip Ganassi Racing win at Le Mans in 2016 and finish as runner-up in 2017, the team is ready to take on all challengers.

“It’s rewarding to see all four cars come together as one team every year at Le Mans,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsport. “It shows the scale of the global effort we launched in 2016 and have been building on since.

“Le Mans is always the ultimate challenge but this year it has gone up a level through the sheer size of the opposition. We’re going up against the best that Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, Corvette and BMW have to offer and we can’t wait. This is why we race.”

The Le Mans 24 Hours is always a highlight in Chip Ganassi’s racing calendar and he too is fully committed to shooting for another Ford victory in 2018.

“The Le Mans 24 Hours is one of those races that you have circled on the calendar,” Ganassi said. “It has everything. It’s on an historic track in France, it is an endurance race and it is one of the most spectacular events in the world. When you win a race like Le Mans, you know you have accomplished something. It is multiple drivers, crew members and the right manufacturer all coming together. I can’t wait to get back there to compete for another win.”

The #66 Ford GT crew of Stefan Mücke (GER), Olivier Pla (FRA) and Billy Johnson (USA) took their first victory in the opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship at Spa in Belgium last month. Le Mans has been hard on them over the last two years, so they hope the Spa win signals a change in their fortunes.

In the #67 Ford GT, IndyCar star Tony Kanaan (BRA) joins last year’s runners-up, Andy Priaulx (GB) and Harry Tincknell (GB), and they all have their eye on the top step of the podium.

Already podium finishers in 2018, the drivers of the #68 Ford GT are the history-makers: the crew that took Ford’s first modern-day Le Mans win in 2016. Joey Hand (USA), Sébastien Bourdais (FRA) and Dirk Müller (GER) would love to do the double.

The drivers of the #69 Ford GT got their 2018 campaign off to the best possible start by winning the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Ryan Briscoe (AUS), Richard Westbrook (GB) and Scott Dixon (NZ) are more than ready for another 24-hour win.

*Courtesy of Ford Performance

Ford NASCAR Mustang Revealed; World’s Best-Selling Sports Coupe Ready for Cup Competition in 2019

Posted on: August 9th, 2018
Location: post

Ford NASCAR Mustang Revealed; World’s Best-Selling Sports Coupe Ready for Cup Competition in 2019

 

  • Ford unveils the new NASCAR Mustang that will compete in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2019 for employees at the company’s World Headquarters
  • World’s best-selling sports coupe moves to America’s most popular form of racing – for the first time ever – debuting at 2019 Daytona 500 in February
  • Ford Performance and Ford Design teams worked together on new model to create competitive race car that remains true to its heritage

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 9, 2018 – Ford today revealed its all-new Mustang NASCAR Cup race car, the first time Mustang – the world’s best-selling sports car – will compete in NASCAR’s top-level Cup racing series.

“Mustang has raced since it was first sold in 1964,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s executive vice president, Product Development and Purchasing, who was on hand to help unveil the car.  “After more than a half-century, it feels great to finally let Mustang run in the top echelon of America’s most popular stock car racing series.”

Even before Mustang became a global icon, its first competition was in 1964, when it surprisingly won the Tour de France Automobile, a grueling 4,000 mile, 10-day rally. Soon after, it began a racing legacy in SCCA Trans-Am, IMSA, NHRA, Formula Drift and NASCAR Xfinity – NASCAR’s second tier series.

“Ever since we announced in April that Mustang would be going to the Cup level in 2019, we’ve heard nothing but positive feedback,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports.  “Our Ford Performance team has worked hard with the Ford Design team to create a Mustang that will be competitive on the track while remaining true to its proud heritage. We can’t wait to see it winning races in the NASCAR Cup Series next year.”

Ford Design and Ford Performance worked carefully to translate Mustang’s signature style to meet NASCAR rules, ensuring Mustang will look as great on the oval as it does on the street.

All 13 Ford drivers currently competing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series were on hand for the unveiling for employees at the company’s World Headquarters, along with team owners and NASCAR executives.

“We look forward to seeing the Ford Mustang, a cultural icon, on the track in the most competitive series in all of motorsports,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “Our sport eagerly anticipates the performance, style and fanfare the Mustang will bring to the track each weekend beginning at the 2019 Daytona 500.”

Mustang has been competing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series since 2011 and has won a championship in all but one season.  Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won back-to-back driver’s championships in 2011 and 2012, while Roger Penske has claimed the owner’s title in four of the last five years.

Today’s reveal comes on the heels of a celebration of the 10 millionth Mustang off the assembly line in Flat Rock, Mich., on Wednesday.

The first race for the new NASCAR Mustang will be the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, 2019.

# # #

 About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 202,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

*Courtesy of Ford Performance

 

ATLAS COPCO BECOMES OFFICIAL COMPRESSED AIR PARTNER OF ROUSH YATES ENGINES

Posted on: October 23rd, 2018
Location: post

MOORESVILLE, NC – October 23, 2018 – Atlas Copco Compressors, a leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions, and Roush Yates Engines announced a newly formed partnership, naming Atlas Copco the official compressed air provider of Roush Yates Engines.

Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions, a division of Roush Yates Engines, has expanded into a new 88,000-square-foot CNC machining facility and worked with Atlas Copco to determine the most efficient and productive air compressor system to support the new facility. It was a natural fit with Atlas Copco Compressors, headquartered in South Carolina.
“We are proud to have Atlas Copco as our partner,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO, Roush Yates Engines. “Atlas Copco not only provides premium products and services but is also a leader in innovation. By supplying quality compressed air with the latest technology, it allows our facility to operate in the most energy efficient manner possible while reducing overall environmental noise pollution, which is a true win-win.”

With over 140 years of experience, Atlas Copco is globally recognized as a leader in innovation and manufacturer of premium compressed air products. Atlas Copco engineers consistently develop world-class products and services that truly create advantages for their customers and the environment.

“Our new Atlas Copco compressors arrived in perfect condition and ready to work,” commented Jeff Smith, Building Supervisor, Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions. “Installation was simple, and the integration and communications between the compressors in the installation are superior to any other set-up I have worked with. The Atlas Copco service technicians are second to none. Their attention to detail, product knowledge, professionalism and willingness to answer our questions are top notch.”

Atlas Copco’s product innovation is the result of hard work, dedicated strategies and meaningful interaction with all customers. Understanding the customer’s needs and operating environment is key for Atlas Copco to develop and map out the perfect solution for any customer. To meet customer needs, Atlas Copco has developed a comprehensive selection of products, from compressors to vacuums pumps, blowers, quality air solutions and gas generation systems.

“We are very excited to announce our partnership with Roush Yates Engines. Our companies are truly aligned by our core values of innovation, commitment and interaction,” said Robert Eshelman, President and General Manager, Atlas Copco Compressors LLC. “The automotive industry is always evolving and an important sector for Atlas Copco. This partnership bears testament to our commitment to customers in this industry and all across the United States.”

Atlas Copco is a world-leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions. The Group serves customers through its innovative compressors, vacuum solutions, generators, pumps, power tools and assembly systems. Atlas Copco develops products and services focused on productivity, energy efficiency, safety and ergonomics. The company was founded in 1873, is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a global reach spanning more than 180 countries. In 2017, Atlas Copco (excluding Epiroc AB) had revenues of BSEK 86 (BEUR 9) and about 34,000 employees.

Atlas Copco Compressors LLC is part of the Compressor Technique Business Area, headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Atlas Copco Compressors provides innovative solutions including world-class compressors, vacuum pumps, air blowers, quality air products and gas generation systems, all backed with full service, remote monitoring and auditing services.
With a nationwide service and distribution network, Atlas Copco Compressors is your local, national and global partner for all your compressed air needs.

HARVICK SWEEPS ATLANTA

Posted on: February 26th, 2018
Location: post

HAMPTON, GA, February 26, 2018 – Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 won back-2-back races at the Atlanta Motor Speedway and recorded Stewart-Haas Racing’s 40th points win. Harvick in his Ford Fusion won his second career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta, with Ford teammates, Brad Keselowski and Clint Bowyer sweeping the top three spots in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.

“Congratulations to Kevin, Stewart-Haas and the entire Ford organization,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “I’m so happy for Kevin, this was a great way to finish the weekend. We are honored to partner with Ford to power these Ford Fusions.”
“I’m just so proud of everybody on our team,” Harvick commented. “That was the first win in my career and to be able to do that and pay tribute to Dale was pretty cool. I’ve been waiting a long time to do that.  We’ve had so many days where we could do that here, but I just want to thank everybody who puts this car on the race track and for five years it’s been so fast at this particular race track and a lot of other ones. I love racing here and it’s good to be back in Victory Lane finally.”

Harvick with the Ford FR9 horsepower under the hood of the Ford Fusion dominated the race by leading 181 out of the 325 lap race and recorded a new track record for total laps led (1,152). After winning Stage 1, the race came down to a 22 lap shootout between Harvick and Keselowski. Lined up side-by-side on the front row, Harvick launched the No. 4 on the restart and never looked back until he took the checkered flag, finishing 2.690 seconds ahead of Keselowski to take home his first Cup win at Atlanta since 2001. “Harvick was in a league of his own today,” commented Keselowski.

Joining Harvick, Keselowski and Bowyer in the top-10 were Joey Logano in P6 and Kurt Busch in P8.

 
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Harvick drove the No. 98 Ford Mustang to win the first NASCAR Xfinity Series race for new team partners Stewart-Haas Racing with Biagi-DenBeste in the Rinnai 250. Ford teammate, Joey Logano in the No. 22 made it a 1-2 finish on the 1.5-mile track.

Harvick, starting in the fifth position took control of the race early on by winning Stage 1 and Stage 2. Harvick seemed to be on cruise control, putting the 98 in the right spot at the right time with perfect execution to lead 141 laps out of the 163 lap race, recording his fifth career NXS win at Atlanta.

Four Fords finished in the top-10. Harvick and Logano were followed by Team Penske teammate Austin Cindric in P7 and Ryan Reed from Roush Fenway Racing in P10.

The Ford teams will ride this momentum out west to Las Vegas this weekend.

14 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 317 WINS – 282 POLES!

RYE MERCHANDISE

Posted on: April 27th, 2018
Location: post

New Roush Yates Engines’ merchandise has been delivered and is ready for you to check out at the RYE SHOP.

 

1-2-3 FOR STEWART-HAAS RACING IN MICHIGAN!

Posted on: June 11th, 2018
Location: post

BROOKLYN, MI – June 11, 2018 – Clint Bowyer along with Stewart-Haas Racing teammates made it a 1-2-3 finish at Michigan International Speedway, sweeping the FireKeepers Casino 400. The No. 14 of Bowyer, with Kevin Harvick and pole winner Kurt Busch, made history with the first 1-2-3 finish for Stewart-Haas Racing in a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race while marking Bowyer’s 10th career Cup win and SHR’s 46 points Cup win.

Ford Motor Company also brought home the Heritage Trophy, awarded to the winning manufacturer at Michigan.
“Congratulations to Clint, Tony, Gene and the Stewart-Haas organization,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “It was a strong showing by the Ford’s this weekend with Kurt taking the pole Friday and to see seven Fords finish in the top-10 was great. We always want to run good, but when you’re in Michigan its extra special when you can help bring the Heritage Trophy back to Dearborn and the Ford family.”
The Ford Fusions powered by the Ford FR9 EFI engines all ran strong from the time they were brought off the haulers at Michigan International Speedway with the No. 41 of Kurt Busch winning the pole at 203.361 mph. The Ford teams went onto lead 121 out of the 133-lap race.

After a rain delay start to the race, the Ford Fusions showcased their speed as Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney won Stage 1 and SHR Harvick won Stage 2. As the weather moved in just after the completion of Stage 2, a strategy call by Mike Bugarewicz, Crew Chief of the No.14 decided to take two tires. In the showdown between teammates, Bowyer held off Harvick on the final restart and was able to retain the lead before rain shortened the 200-lap race and stopped the event.

“That was a gutsy call,” commented Bowyer on Bugarewicz’s call. “When we went out there on two tires I looked in the mirror and I was so far ahead of everybody else, I was like, ‘Oh man, we are in trouble!’ The rain came just in enough time. He was so much faster than me in one and two. I got down in three and just had to take his line because that bear was coming.”
In total, seven Ford’s topped the leader board to end the race; Bowyer (P1), Harvick (P2), Busch (P3), Wood Brothers’ No. 21 Paul Menard (P5), Team-Penske teammates No. 2 Brad Keselowski (P6), Joey Logano (P7) and Ryan Blaney (P8) and just outside the top-10 was No. 10 Aric Almirola (P11).
“I think it’s a real honor to drive the Roush‑Yates engines when you get to a place like this because you can be a lot easier on your car,” commented Harvick after the race. “Doug Yates and those guys, they like to make big horsepower on the big end of the motor, put a lot of effort into this particular race weekend.”

The Ford Performance teams will ride this momentum out to Sonoma Raceway on June 24th. Reference the full 2018 schedule on Roush Yates Engines.

14 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 332 WINS – 297 POLES!

HARVICK WINS AND FORD SWEEPS SEASON AT MICHIGAN

Posted on: August 13th, 2018
Location: post

BROOKLYN, MI – August 13, 2018 – Kevin Harvick, in the Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) No.4 Ford Fusion reached Victory Lane for the seventh time this year in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway (MIS). Harvick swept the Consumer Energy 400 on Sunday with the flawless execution of the No. 4 team, to mark Ford’s 38th win at Michigan and 668 all-time Cup win.
“Congratulations to Kevin, Tony, Gene and the Stewart-Haas organization on the seventh points win of the season,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Kevin and the team ran an unbelievable race. It’s been a great week here in Michigan with the reveal of the 2019 NASCAR Ford Mustang and now to win the 400 and retain the Heritage trophy for Ford Motor Co., it’s just a special deal. Our team, back at Roush Yates Engines, is very proud to be part of this partnership and continue to push toward the Playoffs.”
Harvick started the Consumer Energy 400 in the second row, but it didn’t take long for him to make his charge to the front. After a mid-stage restart, Harvick seized the opportunity to take the lead and set himself up to win the first Stage of the race.
The No. 4 SHR team executed the game plan perfectly to help put Harvick in position to take the Stage 2 win, on his way to leading 108 out of the 200-lap race and take the checkered flag 3.233-second over Ford teammate Brad Keselowski.

Harvick made it back-to-back wins at Michigan International Speedway for SHR, following teammate Clint Bowyer’s win in the Spring.

“Keelan is saving me some work,” said Harvick in Victory Lane. “Usually when I get home the next day we have to mock up a victory lane celebration. For him to be here and able to do that and be a part of NASCAR and bring your son to work and do all the things that we get to do with our kids, I have had him with me by myself the last three weeks and we have had a ball. I couldn’t be happier to be a dad and be a part of NASCAR where they let your family come to the race track and be a part of it.”
Harvick now leads the driver Playoff points standings with 40 points, five points over Kurt Busch in second.

In total six Ford’s finished in the Top-10; Harvick (P1), Keselowski (P2), Ryan Blaney (P5), Kurt Busch (P6), Aric Almirola (P7), and Joey Logano (P10).
On Saturday, at the Mid-Ohio Sport Car Course, Austin Cindric in the No. 22 Team Penske Ford Mustang won his second pole of the year and 10th for Roush Yates Engines this season.

Cindric led a total of 59 out of the 75-lap race and finished second with Ford teammates Cole Custer from SHR finishing seventh and Ryan Reed from Roush Fenway Racing tenth.
This coming weekend, NASCAR heads back to Bristol, Tennessee for the second time this season, while the Ford Performance IMSA teams’ race for their fifth straight WeatherTech Sportscar Championship win at VIR and their WEC teammates get back to the track in the U.K for the Six Hours of Silverstone. Reference the full 2018 schedule on Roush Yates Engines.

14 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 342 WINS – 307 POLES!
*Images courtesy of NASCAR Media

KEN BLOCK AND TOYO TIRES PRESENT THE HOONITRUCK! THE ALL-NEW, MOST UNIQUE ALL WHEEL-DRIVE RACE TRUCK OF ALL TIME

Posted on: October 24th, 2018
Location: post

LONG BEACH, CA – October 24, 2018 – Ahead of his upcoming GYMKHANA TEN, Ken Block, in association with Toyo Tires, is pleased to present to the world his latest, mind-blowing custom Gymkhana vehicle build: The Hoonitruck!

Created partially out of Block’s general love for trucks (a man who has daily-driven a Ford Raptor since 2010 and in general thinks trucks are rad) and partially as a bit of a tribute to his late father due to the fact that he grew up cutting his teeth with this era of Ford F-150—Block’s father had the exact same base truck back in the day, which Block learned how to drive on when he was 15 years old and then used when he’d go racing dirt bikes as a teen.

Based on a 1977 Ford F-150, Block’s Hoonitruck is powered by a custom-tuned Ford Performance V6 EcoBoost engine lifted directly out of the Ford Performance Ford GT Le Mans development program. Making 914hp at 7,400rpm and 702 ft-lbs at 6,450 rpm, the engine is a snarling, billet-aluminum menace, sounding like nothing you’ve ever heard in a Gymkhana video before.

The power is routed to all four wheels via a Sadev 6-speed all wheel-drive gearbox (similar to the one used in Block’s Hoonicorn). Chassis, bodywork and fabrication was all handled by Detroit Speed, in Mooresville, NC, with the overall design and styling of the project dictated by Block and his team at Hoonigan.

In addition to the above, the Hoonitruck also features some direct tie-ins to current Ford F-150 products. The vehicle features hand-shaped aluminum bodywork (identical to the military-grade aluminum that Ford uses currently) Ford Pass remote start integration and even a functional backup camera/tow hitch setup.

“This project has been in the works for about 2 years,” said Block. “I’m beyond pleased with how it turned out, it’s simply one of the most badass and unique vehicles I’ve seen in a long time and I think it compliments my Hoonicorn perfectly. It’s also crazy to be throwing something around that’s this size when doing Gymkhana-style driving. But, it looks absolutely wild on camera, and that was our goal from the start. I can’t wait for the fans to be able to see it in action, I think they’re gonna love it!”

For those that want to be among the first to see the Hoonitruck in person, it will be on static display at the Toyo Tires booth #62122 at SEMA in Las Vegas this year. It will also be shown in more detail during Block’s upcoming Amazon Prime Video series, The Gymkhana Files where there will be some behind-the-scenes action of the fabrication process, testing and ultimately, filming in GYMKHANA TEN. Block’s GYMKHANA TEN drops as an early exclusive on Amazon Prime Video on December 7th, followed by a global release on Hoonigan’s YouTube channel December 17th.

STATS

  • 1977 Ford F-150
  • 3.5 liter Ford Performance/Roush Yates EcoBoost V6
  • 914 horsepower, 702 lb-ft of torque
  • Chassis design, engineering and bodywork by Detroit Speed Engineering
  • Hand-hammered military-grade aluminum bodywork
  • Styling by Block and his team at Hoonigan
  • Custom 20-inch fifteen52 Turbomac HD wheels
  • Toyo Tires Proxes ST III

*Courtesy Ford Performance