Archive for the ‘2019 Press Releases’ Category

Ford Pays Homage to Le Mans with Celebration Liveries

Posted on: May 29th, 2019
Location: post

Ford Pays Homage to Le Mans with Celebration Liveries

  • Special series of liveries celebrates Ford’s success at Le Mans, past and present
  • Celebration liveries mark Ford’s “Au Revoir” (“until we meet again”) to its factory Le Mans programme
  • Customer team, Keating Motorsports follows same livery design for #85 Ford GT

LE MANS, France, May 28, 2019– Ford has revealed a special series of “Celebration Liveries” for the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GTs ahead of the 2019 Le Mans 24 Hours. Each of the four factory Ford GTs will bear a livery that celebrates the success of the manufacturer at Le Mans, both in the present day and during the 1960s.


The 2019 Le Mans 24 Hours is the final Le Mans for the current factory Ford GT programme, marking the close of another great chapter at Le Mans for the factory Fords.

“In 2016, Ford returned to Le Mans to mark the 50th anniversary of our incredible 1966 win and we celebrated in the best way possible by winning the race,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “To stand on that podium on behalf of the employees was a proud moment for me and I look forward returning to Le Mans this year to support the team as we approach our final race in this chapter.”

When the four factory Ford GTs arrive at the famous La Sarthe Circuit at Le Mans later today, they will be seen for the very first time in the new liveries, each of which has a special meaning.  They will also be joined by a fifth Ford GT, racing in the GTE Am class with Keating Motorsports.

The #66 Ford GT raced by Stefan Mücke (GER), Olivier Pla (FRA) and Billy Johnson (USA) has a black livery that echoes that of the Ford GT40 of Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon that won Le Mans in 1966.

The Ford GT40 that Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt drove to victory at Le Mans in 1967 is remembered in the new livery of the #67 Ford GT raced by Andy Priaulx (GB), Harry Tincknell (GB) and Jonathan Bomarito (USA).

 The #68 Ford GT is Ford’s most recent Le Mans winner, taking the chequered flag first in the 2016 race.  Dirk Müller (GER), Joey Hand (USA) and Sébastien Bourdais (FRA) will race in the same colours as when it won Le Mans in 2016.

The #69 Ford GT of Scott Dixon (NZ), Ryan Briscoe (AUS) and Richard Westbrook (GB) takes its design cues from the Ford GT40 that came second in Ford’s glorious 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans in 1966.
 The #85 Ford GT will be raced in the GTE Am class by customer team, Keating Motorsports. The team is using the same livery design as the four factory Fords but using the striking colours of its title sponsor, Wynn’s. The driver line-up for the #85 Ford GT is Ben Keating (US), Jeroen Bleekemolen (NETH) and Felipe Fraga (BRA).
“The Ford GT was created to take Ford back to the world of GT endurance racing,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “This factory Ford GT programme has been a great success for our brand and we have enjoyed the many challenges that have come our way during this four-year programme.  Le Mans is not quite the end of the factory programme as we still have many more IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races to go in 2019.”

The Ford GTs will be on track in their new celebration liveries this Sunday (June 2) for the Official Le Mans Test. Fans will be able to follow the 24-hour race on June 15-16 from inside the cockpit of the factory Ford GTs as Ford’s popular Le Mans Livestream will return for its fourth consecutive year.

*Courtesy of Ford Performance

ROUSH YATES MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS MOVES TO PAPERLESS CNC MACHINING FACILITY with PROSHOP

Posted on: August 29th, 2019
Location: post

MOORESVILLE, NC, August 29, 2019 – Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions announced today a new multi-year partnership with ProShop USA Inc.

Established in Bellingham, WA, ProShop’s manufacturing enterprise software is a comprehensive paperless shop management system, engineered to benefit growing manufacturing companies. It’s a system built by a manufacturer for manufacturers, especially with AS9100 certified companies in mind.
“With ProShop we have complete visibility of our products and operations from estimating to shipping, real time inspection reporting to reduce scrap and rework, and intuitive inventory control, so we spend more time cutting chips and less time waiting for tools,” said Malcolm Pruitt, Manufacturing Planner, Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions. “ProShop provides the reliability that today’s industry demands.”

“As we expanded into an 88,000 sq. ft. world-class facility with 50 CNC machines, it was important that we did things thoughtfully and with clear intention,” commented Mitch Miller, VP of Manufacturing, Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions. “We knew we needed a tool that could flex and scale as we grew and would be user friendly for our 50 plus employees to use throughout the plant. As we reviewed products and results, it was clear the best choice for our CNC manufacturing facility was ProShop.”

ProShop is playing a vital role at Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions (RYMS). RYMS is utilizing ProShop’s vast experience and module-built Digital Manufacturing Eco System to help expand and connect our growing facility. The turn-key software brings the tools of ERP, MES, and QMS together to make one complete robust package.
The ability to go paperless and have everything related to a specific work-order at your fingertips is priceless to RYMS’s growing facility. As an ISO 9001 / AS9100 certified facility the ProShop system allows us to have everything in one location, regarding a particular work-order from pricing, quoting, list of tool operations and tooling to inventory, inspection data, shipping documentation, and accounts payable reports. This is vital for our growth and sustainability in today’s business landscape.
“What ProShop brings to the table is a proven competitive advantage in CNC manufacturing today,” said Todd English, VP Business Development, Roush Yates Engines. “We look forward to growing our partnership with ProShop and leveraging their expertise to help us exceed our overall business goals.”
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Roush Yates,” commented Paul Van Metre, Founder of ProShop. “It was auto racing that got our team involved with the manufacturing industry more than 20 years ago, so to have an amazing and high-profile organization like Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions (RYMS) chose ProShop is rewarding and humbling at the same time. We know that the lessons we learned about how to run a world-class paperless manufacturing operation and features we built into ProShop to achieve those goals will help RYMS take their world class facility to an even higher level. Their commitment to quality, exceptional customer service, their AS9100 requirements, and the high pressure and demanding nature of their business makes them a superb customer for ProShop’s integrated ERP, QMS and MES functionality.”

With a shared commitment of excellence and innovation to make our products the best while making scheduling and pricing transparent, ProShop and Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions look forward to a long partnership together.

About ProShop: 

ProShop is the industry’s only ERP system specifically dedicated to and built in a CNC machine shop. We are fanatical about managing every detail of your machine shop in a paperless and web-based environment, including the ERP functions necessary to run your office, the QMS functions to manage your ISO or AS9100 system, and the MES functions to ensure your shop floor is running at peak efficiency. From managing visual work instructions, drawing revisions, job-routings, cutting tools, FAI and In-process inspection, NCR generation, calibration, machine utilization, job-costing, and much more, it’s all in ProShop and completely interconnected to every corner of your business. Leading shops know that going paperless and digital is the future for all machine shops. We’ve helped more shops go completely paperless than any other provider on the market. We live it and breathe every day, and it’s our passion to help you improve your business.

To learn more about ProShop go to proshoperp.com.

KESELOWSKI WINS WITH THE NEW FORD MUSTANG IN ATLANTA

Posted on: February 25th, 2019
Location: post

HAMPTON, GA, February 25, 2019 – Brad Keselowski, Team Penske’s all-time winningest driver in the No. 2, recorded the first race win in the new Ford Mustang. Ford Performance recorded their third consecutive win at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 and 678th all-time win in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) competition.

“Congratulations to Ford, Brad and Roger {Penske},” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “This was a big day for Roush Yates Engines with the new T550 engine package, on a mile and a half track for the first time this year, with the new iconic Ford Mustang body. To finish in victory lane is a testament to all the hard work by the entire Ford organization. We are proud to be part of this historic moment and partner with Ford Performance to deliver the first MENCS win with the new Ford Mustang.”
“Good enough to get the job done,” commented Keselowski in a victory lane interview after being asked about how he was feeling. “I think first off, I’ve got to give a lot of credit to my wife who’s standing in the back. I couldn’t be here today without them. So, thank you. And Doug Yates, we ran over a piece of debris with, I don’t know, probably 50 laps to go and overheated really bad, and I thought there was no way this engine would make it to the end, but Doug Yates and his team, they do a great job. I’m pretty sure it’s all used up, Doug, but it’s in Victory Lane, right?”
Keselowski, driving the new T550 engine package for the first time in the 2019 season, worked race traffic all day. The No. 2, methodically worked his way up to the front, taking the lead from Team Penske teammate, Joey Logano on lap 293, and led the last 33 laps of the race. The Keselowski managed to hold off a hard charging Martin Truex Jr. for the last three laps, taking the checkered flag .134 seconds ahead of the No. 19.
“This is a great day for Ford and it’s a testament to what can be achieved when everybody works together toward one common goal,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “So many people were involved in the design and development of Mustang – from team engineers to design center staff at Ford to our internal team at Ford Performance – we all worked together on this project over the last 18 months and to see it end with a victory in just the car’s second race is beyond satisfying.”

After sweeping qualifying with pole winner Aric Almirola, Rick Stenhouse Jr. and Clint Bowyer, the Ford Mustangs went onto lead a combined manufacturers’ race high of 178 laps out of the 325-lap race.
Joining winner Keselowski in the top-10 was Stewart-Haas Racing teammates Kevin Harvick in P4, Clint Bowyer P5, Almirola P8, and Daniel Suárez rounding out the top-10.
Cole Custer with Stewart-Haas Racing started on the pole for the NASCAR Xfinity race on Saturday afternoon and finished P2. In addition, Austin Cindric with Team Penske finished P10, and Chase Briscoe also from Stewart-Haas Racing finished P15.
Ford Performance teams will ride this momentum out west to Las Vegas this weekend.

23 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 355 WINS – 322 POLES!
*Photography courtesy of NASCAR Media

CUSTER WINS POCONO

Posted on: June 3rd, 2019
Location: post
LONG POND, PA – June 3, 2019 – Cole Custer won the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Pocono Green 250 in a thrilling overtime performance at Pocono Raceway. The No. 00 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Mustang recorded its third win of the season.
“Congratulations to Cole, Tony, Gene, and the No. 00 crew,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Cole did an amazing job, chasing down Tyler Reddick and passing him on the final lap for the win. It’s such a privilege to be part of the Ford Performance team and help support these talented drivers with the power under the hood for the Ford Mustangs.”

After starting from the pole position on Saturday, Custer won the first stage of the race, on his way to leading a race high 58 laps out of the 103-lap race.

As a late race caution caused the race to go into overtime, Custer showed patience and maturity. Although, the No. 00 was passed on the restart, Custer made a veteran move, going low as Tyler Reddick took the final turn wide. Custer was able to pass Reddick on the inside, taking the lead and the checkered flag, .226 seconds ahead of Reddick, and clinching his first victory at the 2.5-mile track.

“We are hitting our stride,” commented Custer, when asked about the team in Victory Lane. “We have really fast cars and it is just a matter of doing it week in and week out and we have been doing it. We just need to keep going out there and execute.”

Ford teammates Chase Briscoe and Austin Cindric also raced hard, to finish P3 and P7 respectively.
In the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series five Ford Performance drivers raced their way into the top-10; Brad Keselowski P2, Clint Bowyer P5, Joey Logano P7, Daniel Suárez P8 and Aric Almirola P10.
The NASCAR teams will head to Michigan to race the first of two races at Michigan International Speedway this season. Reference the full 2019 schedule on www.roushyates.com.

23 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 361 WINS – 334 POLES!

CUSTER AWARDED WIN AT DARLINGTON

Posted on: September 3rd, 2019
Location: post

DARLINGTON, SC – September 3, 2019 – Cole Custer was declared the winner, Saturday night at Darlington Raceway, in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sport Clips VFW 200. This marked the No. 00 Ford Mustang’s sixth win of the season for Stewart-Haas Racing and the ninth overall NXS win this season for Ford Performance.
“Congratulations Cole, Tony, and Gene,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “It was great to see all four Ford Mustangs finish in the top-10 tonight.”
Custer quickly jumped to second on the opening lap of the final stage, but was running fourth when the yellow flag waved on lap 132 of the 147-lap race. The team pitted and the No. 00 was able to gain two spots on pit road to restart second for the 10-lap sprint to the finish. Custer would ultimately cross the finish line in second place, but was declared the winner after Denny Hamlin failed post-race inspection.
“We had a really good car there at the end of the race,” commented Custer. “I was able to run the bottom in 1 & 2 well enough to get a run on the leader, but was too loose in 3 & 4 to make anything happen. My guys got me out front on that last pit stop to at least give us a chance to compete for the win.”
All four Ford Performance drivers finished in the top-10, following Custer was Stage 2 and pole winner Ryan Blaney in P3 while Chase Briscoe finished P6 and Austin Cindric rounded out the top-10 in P10.
Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski posted a top-5 finish in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 Sunday night, at Darlington Raceway. Harvick finished P4 followed by Keselowski in P5. In addition, Clint Bowyer and Paul Menard finished P6 and P9 respectively.
NASCAR returns to the Indianapolis Speedway this weekend where the 2019 Monster Energy Cup Series playoffs will be locked in!

23 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 373 WINS – 348 POLES!
* Photos courtesy NASCAR Media & Ford Performance

TEAM PENSKE & FORD PERFORMANCE FINISH 1-2 AT LAS VEGAS

Posted on: March 4th, 2019
Location: post
LAS VEGAS, NV- March 4, 2019 – It was a 1-2 Team Penske finish, as Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski finished first and second in the Pennzoil 400. Logano recorded his 22nd career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win, in the No. 22 Pennzoil Ford Mustang, as he took the checkered flag at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the first time.
“The cars are fast, we showed it last weekend and able to show it again this weekend,” Logano commented in Victory Lane. “Roush Yates’ motors, this is a big motor thing now. You’re on the gas so much, you don’t lift for the most part, you lift a little bit, that horsepower under the hood is a huge deal.”
“Congratulations Joey, Roger and Ford Performance,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Joey drove a great race today. The Ford Performance teams have started strong this year and we’re proud to be powering the new Ford Mustangs with Ford FR9 horsepower. It’s great to celebrate another win with Ford Performance and see Team Penske, Stewart-Haas Racing, and Roush Fenway Fords finish in the top 10.”
The Ford Mustangs looked strong throughout the race with pole winner Kevin Harvick getting out to a fast start to win Stage 1 and lead the first 43 laps of the race. The Ford Mustangs went onto lead a total of 208 laps out of the 267-lap race by five different drivers; Harvick 89 laps, Logano 86 laps, Keselowski 17 laps, Daniel Suárez 12 laps, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 5 laps.
The No. 22 crew executed all day, putting Logano in great position to win Stage 2 and to contend for the win, but Keselowski would not go down without a fight. The No. 2 made a final lap charge and attempted to pass Logano on the last corner but could only get to Logano’s bumper. The teammates finished nose-to-tail, a mere .236 seconds apart. This win was the third consecutive win for Ford Performance in Las Vegas.
Team Penske is now the first team to secure two drivers in the 2019 Playoffs.

Five Fords finished the day in the top-10. In addition to Logano and Keselowski finishing 1-2, Harvick finished fourth with Stenhouse and Aric Almirola finishing sixth and seventh.
Cole Custer started from the pole at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the 23rd Annual Boyd Gaming 300 and finished 9th while Chase Briscoe finished 8th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday.
The MENCS and Xfinity Fords will travel to the second stop on the west coast swing at ISM Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona this weekend to see if they can make it three in a row. Reference the full 2019 schedule on www.roushyates.com.

23 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 356 WINS – 324 POLES!
*Images courtesy of NASCAR Media

WHERE HISTORY and DESTINY MEET – LE MANS

Posted on: June 12th, 2019
Location: post

LE MANS, France – June 12, 2019 – When the 24 Hours of Le Mans gets underway later this week (June 15-16) more than 50 years of racing history and destiny will meet once again for Ford Performance.

Ford and the Chip Ganassi Racing team will face their biggest rivals and compete on the world stage at Le Mans for the conclusion of the 2018-2019 WEC (World Endurance Championship) Super Season.

This is a race like no other, bringing the best manufacturers and drivers, from around the world, together to compete in this historic 24-hour endurance race. The Circuit de la Sarthe (also known as Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans) is 8.467 miles long, making it one of the longest circuits in the world, comprised of partial race track and public roads including, 38 turns and the epic Mulsanne Straight.  Drivers, teams, and equipment will be put to the test like no where else. This is where legends are made!
With up to 70% of the lap time spent on full throttle, seeing speeds up towards 190 mph (306 km/h) down to 60 mph (96.6 km/h), putting immense stress on engine and drivetrain components, the reliability and performance of the Ford EcoBoost engine is more critical than ever in this 24-hour environment.
Ford will go up against the best manufacturers in the world; Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, Chevrolet, and BMW. The LM GTE Pro class will be packed with 17 cars and 51 of the world’s finest drivers. In addition, this year the Ford GT will also be entered in the LM GTE Am (amateur) class with the No. 85 Keating Motorsports entry.
To celebrate Ford’s success at Le Mans a special series of liveries were created to mark Ford’s “Au Revoir” (“until we meet again”) to its factory Le Mans program.

Each of the four factory Ford GTs will bear a livery that celebrates the success of the manufacturer at Le Mans, both past and present, representing historic wins and podium finishes in 1966, 1967, and 2016.
In the fourth year of its successful Ford GT race program, which has seen Ford Chip Ganassi Racing win Le Mans in 2016, finish runner-up in 2017, and third in 2018, the US manufacturer aims to reclaim the top spot on the podium once again to write their name in the history books.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans gets underway on Saturday, June 15 at 9:00 AM ET (15:00hrs CET).

Fans will be able to follow the race from inside the cockpit of the factory Ford GTs as Ford’s popular Le Mans Livestream returns for its fourth consecutive year. You can tune in at www.fordperformance.tv.
Don’t miss a minute of the action!

*All photos courtesy of Ford Performance

PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION | MITEE-BITE PRODUCTS & ROUSH YATES ENGINES

Posted on: September 5th, 2019
Location: post

MOORESVILLE, NC – September 5, 2019 – Roush Yates Engines announced today it has reached a multi-year extension with longtime partner Mitee-Bite Products LLC.

Mitee-Bite Products LLC., based out of New Hampshire, is a premier supplier and innovator of compact, low-profile edge clamps, and prides itself on finding solutions to challenging workholding applications. They have been providing innovative solutions and quality products to Roush Yates Engines and Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions (RYMS) since 2004 and became an official partner in 2015.
“Mitee-Bite is a great organization and their employees are their biggest asset,” said Todd English, VP Strategic Partnerships & Marketing at Roush Yates Engines. “They have been an invaluable partner to our team, creating innovative solutions and products to improve our CNC machining operations as our manufacturing facility has expanded into other industries where precision is paramount. They understand how critical it is to have parts machined within precise tolerances and within tight timelines. Now that we are machining parts for the aerospace and defense industries, as well as the motorsports industry, it is imperative that we meet our customer’s requirements and ship dates. There is simply no room for error.”
Mitee-Bites’ quality clamping systems have played a vital role at Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions with over 50 CNC machines, in a state-of-the-art 88,000 sq. ft. facility. RYMS utilizes Mitee-Bite products to produce thousands of parts for the aerospace, defense, automotive, and high-tech industries.
Roush Yates Engines relies on the repeatability and stability of Mitee-Bite’s products that assist in the production of over 40% of our engine components for the NASCAR Ford FR9 EFI V8, Ford EcoBoost V6, and the Roush Yates RY45 engines.
We recently implemented the Mitee-Bite’s Vacmagic® (VM300) product line. The vacuum chuck system allows for multiple fixtures while reducing overall set-up time. This workholding application is strong enough for industrial applications, but still operates off our own shop air. Competitive advantages like the Vacmagic, from Mitee-Bite, assist our constant pursuit of engine power and performance.
“Roush Yates Engines is a powerful, resilient, diligent, and tough family-based team,” commented David Bishop, General Manager at Mitee-Bite. “Doug and his entire team are driven by excellence and will stop at nothing short of perfection to produce the best possible product in an extremely competitive environment. We’re proud to be associated with Roush Yates Engines, it pushes our team to provide the strongest, most efficient methods to capitalize on all their machining capabilities. The rich heritage behind Roush Yates is as impressive as the present day and undoubtedly what the future holds.  We look forward to winning with them on and off the track!”
About Mitee-Bite Products LLC. 
Mitee-Bite Products LLC, located in Center Ossipee, NH, is the innovator of compact, low-profile edge clamps geared towards improving productivity and providing solutions for difficult work holding applications. Continually developing new products to provide customers with a wide assortment of high-density low-profile clamping solutions and assistance with clamping recommendations.Mitee-Bite Products takes great pride in producing products that allow customers to improve their processes by simple means. Through constant design and development, Mitee-Bite Products keep the spindle running, reducing idle spindle time, overall material cost and set-up time. Learn more about Mitee-Bite www.Mitee-Bite.com.

Ford’s WEC Super Season Resumes at Sebring

Posted on: March 13th, 2019
Location: post
  • Sebring Raceway in Florida to host the “1000 Miles of Sebring”
  • Round six of the 2018-19 FIA World Endurance Championship is an eight-hour race into the night
  • Three more races to go in the 2018-19 Super Season: Sebring, Spa and Le Mans
  • 1000 Miles of Sebring gets underway on Friday, March 15 at 16:00 ET (21:00 CET)

SEBRING, FL, March 13, 2019– The Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team is going all out to claim the top results for the Ford GTs with just three races remaining in the 2018-19 FIA World Endurance Championship Super Season.

New for 2019, the 1000 Miles of Sebring will see the WEC protagonists fighting for glory on the eve of the famous Sebring 12 Hour race in which the U.S. arm of the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team will compete.

“Sebring is another big weekend for Ford,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “To have both the WEC and IMSA Ford GTs together but competing in different races makes for an exciting event for Ford Performance. As always our goal is to win so I am hopeful that all the work that has been put in recently in testing will pay off for us.”

The #66 Ford GT raced by Stefan Mücke (GER) and Olivier Pla (FRA) sits in second place in the Drivers’ World Championships standings. Having taken two pole positions so far this season, the duo will be pushing for pole at Sebring. Joining them will be Billy Johnson (US) who returns to the team for the first time since Le Mans last year.

 

“Sebring is a unique circuit, complete with bumps and a track layout that is partly on an old airfield,” Mücke said. “We had the chance to test there in February which was important as it gave us the first indication of what we can expect and showed us the areas where we need to improve. I have good memories of Sebring; it’s actually one of my favourite tracks. The race will be a challenge as it starts in the afternoon and finishes late at night so there will be a big temperature drop, which affects the balance of the car and tyre choice. I can’t wait to get back in the car and get the season going again on a great track like Sebring.”

The #67 GT of Andy Priaulx (GB) and Harry Tincknell (GB) has had a bruising season so far and currently sits in eighth place in the standings. Both drivers are born winners though, and will be out to remind everyone of this, ably supported by a new teammate for Sebring, U.S. racer Jonathan Bomarito.

“Sebring is a great track that always produces a demanding and challenging race,” Priaulx said. “It’s narrow, bumpy and hot and there is never enough room for everyone so you need to keep your concentration levels high. I was fortunate enough to win the 12-hour race there in 2011 (as teammate to Dirk Müller and Joey Hand) and it is a special event where the fans create a great atmosphere. It’s a tough track in the dark. You have to limit your mistakes and push hard to be competitive there but that’s what we do, right?”

The 1000 Miles of Sebring gets underway on Friday, March 15 at 16:00 ET (21:00 CET).

*Courtesy Ford Performance

 

LOGANO WINS MICHIGAN WITH FORD PERFORMANCE

Posted on: June 11th, 2019
Location: post

BROOKLYN, MI – June 11, 2019 – Joey Logano won the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, FireKeepers Casino 400 in a manufacturer’s shootout at Michigan International Speedway. The No. 22 Team Penske Ford Mustang recorded its second win of the season and Ford Motor Company secured the Michigan Heritage Trophy for the third consecutive race.
“Congratulations to Joey, Roger and the entire No. 22 crew,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Joey drove an amazing race, keeping the No. 22 Ford Mustang out front for the majority of the race! We say it all the time, but it’s true, it’s a privilege to be part of the Ford Performance team, to support Ford Motor Company and provide the power to these Ford Mustangs every week. To win the pole and race in Michigan, in Ford’s backyard, is extra special to achieve this for the Ford family.”
During qualifying on Saturday afternoon, the fast Ford Mustangs set the pace with 8 out of the top 10 qualifiers. Logano with Team Penske won the pole, followed by Stewart-Haas Racing’s Aric Almirola P2, Kevin Harvick P3, and Clint Bowyer P5, Paul Menard in P6 with Wood Brothers Racing, Brad Keselowski P8 with Team Penske, Daniel Suarez in P9 with Stewart-Haas Racing, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in P10 with Roush Fenway Racing.
After starting from the pole position on Monday night, Joey Logano won the first stage of the race, proving the No. 22 would be hard to pass, on his way to leading a race high 163 laps out of the 203-lap race.
As a late race caution took the race into overtime, Logano proved once again to be the leader of the race in the two-lap manufacturer’s shootout. Logano took the lead on the restart and never looked back as he took the checkered flag .147 seconds ahead of Kurt Busch to clinch his 23rd career victory.
Ford Performance marked history once again, winning the first ever race at Michigan International Speedway in 1969 with Cale Yarborough (Mercury) and Wood Brothers Racing, and on the track’s 100th anniversary Joey Logano and Team Penske recorded Team Penske’s 70th cup win with Ford.

“It feels so good,” commented Logano, when asked about the win in Victory Lane. “Winning at Michigan means so much to Team Penske and Ford, being able to pull into this victory lane and see everybody means so much.  A day like that, you don’t get all the time, best car, best team, we executed perfectly all the way through and ultimately to bring this Shell Pennzoil Ford into victory lane. I just can’t thank everyone at the shop enough, everyone that built this thing Roush Yates Engines, Money Lion, SKF, everyone that helps out during this whole thing.”
“It is easy to say that the Mustang has dominated MIS this year so far,” commented Pat DiMarco, NASCAR Program Manager, Ford Performance when asked about the team collaboration in post-race interview. “Kudos to our teams, collectively and collaboratively for developing the Mustang, along with our Ford Performance aerodynamics team and of course Roush Yates Engines. That is a common denominator to our success here among all the teams. We have the best engine in the garage and that power under the hood is a huge part of our team successes.”

Six Ford Mustangs finished in the top-10. Following Logano was Suarez P4, Keselowski P6, Harvick P7, Ryan Newman P8, and Ryan Blaney P9.
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series this past Saturday, Paul Menard started from the pole position and led a race high 56 laps before finishing P4, along with Ford Performance teammate Chase Briscoe in P7.
The Xfinity teams will head to Iowa this weekend to race on Sunday. Reference the full 2019 schedule on www.roushyates.com.

23 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 362 WINS – 336 POLES!
*Photos courtesy of NASCAR media