Archive for the ‘2020 Press Releases’ Category

IS CNC PROGRAMMING THE RIGHT CAREER FOR YOU?

Posted on: January 24th, 2020
Location: post

Ever thought about becoming a CNC programmer?

Life as a CNC programmer can be an exciting and rewarding path for those who love to create and have an eye for detail. This is a growing field filled with opportunities for those trained to work on complex CNC machines.

If you’re trying to determine whether or not CNC programming is the career for you, you’ve come to the right place. Follow along as we share some important information about this career—including job responsibilities, work environment, career outlook and more!

What is CNC Programming?

In basic terms, computer numerical control (CNC) programming is the process used to create program instructions for computers to control a CNC machine and tooling. CNC machines turn a digital file into a sequence of computer instructions, which are then sent to a motorized tool such as a mill, router, grinder or lathe. These tools cut and shape various material types with great precision, into a finished product.

What Industries Use CNC Machinery?

CNC machining plays an important role across a wide variety of industries. According to Todd English, VP of Business Development and Partner Relations for Roush Yates Engines, some core industries that utilize CNC machining include:

  • Automotive & Racing: CNC machining can be used to machine engine parts such as cylinder heads, valve train components, pulleys, brackets, automotive interior and exterior components, suspension components, fluid system components and much more.
  • Defense: Products used by the military must follow specific government regulations, which is where CNC machining, precision and consistency, comes into play. Defense parts are often used for aircraft components, missile components and communication components.
  • Medical: CNC machines are used to create customized parts for the medical industry, including MRI machines, orthotic devices, research equipment and medical instruments.
  • Aerospace: Parts made for the aerospace industry must meet the highest caliber of requirements. CNC machining is used to create several components of aircraft, such as engine components, electrical connectors, landing gear parts, sensors, seating and airframe components.
  • Power Generation: The power generation industry utilizes a wide variety of components that are created through the CNC machining process, such as cooling blades, inlet vanes, rotary support devices and much more.

The use of CNC machinery extends far beyond just these five industries. Others include oil and gas, industrial, electronics and even the marine industry. Many of the high-tech tools our world relies on today were created through the process of CNC machining, such as 3D printers.

What Does a CNC Programmer Do?

CNC machines are incredibly complex, which requires skilled professionals to work on them.

Essentially, the role of a CNC programmer is to take a print or model of a particular component and determine how to best optimize the machining of this component. The programmer must take into account many factors; such as what machine to use, the proper tooling to cut the part and more. The programmer will take the part and bring it into a CAM software and apply tool paths to generate a G-code, which is the specific language the machine communicates from.

Todd shares that typically, when a design engineer or company comes to them, the only thing the programmers have to go off of is a model or a print, and they have to determine how to machine it out of a raw material or from a raw casting. This is a very intricate process that requires great attention to detail and an in-depth knowledge of G-code, CAM software and CAD software, which is used for design work. The parts programmers work on must meet very specific standards, so even fractions of a millimeter count.

For Ricky Strader, CNC programmer for Roush Yates Engines and Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions, the most rewarding part of this career is being able to take a simple material and turn it into a complex part that is used by racecars, planes or even the military. Knowing he has played a role in this process brings him a great sense of accomplishment. “I take pride in what I do,” he shares.

Additionally, Ricky shares that there are many benefits that come with working in this industry, including the opportunity to make a lot of great connections. “In the end, it’s a really small industry when you look around,” he says. The community is full of experts you can build relationships with and learn from as a programmer.

When it comes to challenges, Ricky shares that working in the field can be demanding at times. Some parts are very tough to make, which can be difficult. “It’s a good challenge, but it can be demanding from a time standpoint. Sometimes, you have to put in more effort to figure out the process to make the parts,” Ricky says.

The technological advancements of this industry can also bring challenges. Everything changes so fast, so it’s important for programmers to stay immersed and keep their skills sharp. Otherwise, you can quickly fall behind.

Overall, the challenges that come with this industry are worth it, according to Ricky. “In the end, it’s rewarding to be able to step back and see the end product,” he says. The better your skills are, the more valuable you are to a company, which can lead to exciting opportunities.

CNC Programmer Job Description

  • The ability to understand blueprint readings, including GD&T symbols
  • Knowledge of tooling and different applications to apply
  • An understanding and familiarity with CNC machines, including how they work, special codes, machine limitations and the various settings you can change
  • The ability to look at a part, pre-process it and design workholding if necessary
  • Math skills
  • Documentation & technical writing: Ability to document the process so an operator can follow it
  • Experience working as an operator and a general knowledge of tooling, workholding and different types of machines and equipment
  • Several years of hands-on job training (preferably working on machines)

CNC Programmer Work Environment

The work environment of a CNC programmer can vary based on the specific industry they work in. However, most programmers spend a portion of their time in an office environment and some of their time on the machining floor, following their parts and proving out their process. Once this is complete, they may turn over the parts to production.

Ricky shares that on any given day, he may take a part, program it, and go out to set up the machine and run it. He spends some of his time in the office, but a good amount of his time is spent on the floor doing hands-on work. In addition to setting up and running the machines, he will oversee the process and inspect the first pieces to ensure everything is running smoothly.

The role of a CNC programmer is similar to that of a machinist, however a programmer will spend time doing their programming inside of a CAM software for complicated parts. Simple parts can be done at the machine, but most of the work a programmer does requires the use of software.

Documentation is a very important part of a programmer’s job. Ricky will always document his process with set-up sheets so the project can be passed on to someone else the next time. This allows Ricky to free up his time to focus on more complex projects.

CNC Programmer Job Outlook

One of the most exciting aspects of pursuing a career in the CNC industry is the job outlook. Currently, there is a skills gap, which has led to a high demand for machinists and programmers. “So much is made with CNC machines, and there are so many industries you can get into,” Ricky shares.

CNC machines are used around the world. This isn’t an area-specific job, so there is a lot of flexibility when it comes to location. Whether you want to take your skills to the west coast, east coast or even another country, there will most likely be opportunities available to you.

According to Todd, technical schools like Universal Technical Institute are doing a great job of providing a pipeline of students who are ready to go into the industry. Many of these students go on to gain real-world experience working as machinists, which can open the door to advancing to a programmer role.

Todd goes on to share that automation has become a buzzword in the CNC industry. While we are seeing more and more automation thanks to technology, machinists and programmers are still needed. This is one of the many reasons it’s so important for those working in the field to stay up to date with the latest technologies. “I think it’s going to become more and more technical in the years to come,” Todd says.

How to Become a CNC Programmer

For those interested in becoming a CNC programmer, Ricky suggests making connections with those experienced in the field and asking a lot of questions. He encourages aspiring programmers to ask “why” questions to really get an understanding of the process. “If you don’t ask, you won’t learn,” he says.

“Put yourself in a position where you’re working with people with the right skillset who can help you become a programmer,” Ricky continues. This industry is fast-paced, but he shares that he’s always willing to stop and help others, because he’s had a lot of people stop and help him over the years.

Becoming a programmer often requires a combination of training and on-the-job experience. A program like NASCAR Technical Institute’s CNC Machining Technology program can provide you with a foundation of knowledge you can build upon as you go into the industry. Using industry-preferred tools and technology, students learn to craft sophisticated performance parts and components from raw materials.

Created in cooperation with Roush Yates Engines, this program gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on training and high-tech skills needed to prepare for a career as a CNC machinist. In just 36 weeks, students learn everything from reading blueprints and interpreting geometric dimensioning and tolerancing to the programming, setup and https://roushyates.com/operation of CNC lathes and mills.

“If there’s training you can take advantage of, take advantage of it. It shows initiative,” Ricky says. A successful career in this field requires going the extra mile, so always be willing to volunteer and help with projects when no one else is willing. Advancing to a programmer position requires hard work and oftentimes, years of experience working on the floor as a machinist. Becoming a programmer is a journey, but it’s worth it in the end!

Tips for Success

CNC programmers often share a similar set of traits, such as being detail-oriented, organized, creative and tech-savvy. According to Ricky, success in this industry requires an in-depth knowledge of tooling, machinery, applications and when to use what tool.

Additionally, it’s important to stay in the know about the many changes that take place in the industry. “Keeping up with the technology in your field is very important. There are always new ways of doing things that you have to be open to,” says Ricky.

Any successful CNC machinist or programmer will tell you that sitting back and relying on your training from when you first got hired isn’t enough. This industry is constantly evolving, so taking the initiative to continue to grow your knowledge and skills is essential. According to Todd, “CNC machines are constantly changing. We like to leverage CNC manufacturers and software companies and bring their expertise to work with our employees so we can always stay ahead of the curve.”

“If you don’t keep up with all of the new technologies, you won’t maximize your production. Everyone is looking to become more efficient at what we do,” Todd continues.

Ricky knows the importance of showing initiative firsthand. Throughout his career, he has taken advantage of every training opportunity possible. He took online courses to familiarize himself with CAM  software and tooling and fixture design, which set him apart and showed that he wanted to become a programmer. He encourages those interested in this industry to go the extra mile—whether this means staying late to watch a programmer do their job or taking on an extra project.

Interested in the CNC Industry?

Created in cooperation with Roush Yates, UTI’s 36-week CNC Machining Technology program teaches you everything from reading blueprints and interpreting geometric dimensioning and tolerancing to the programming, setup and operation of CNC lathes and mills. To learn more, visit our program page and request information today.

*Courtesy of Universal Technical Institute / NASCAR Tech

BLANEY GETS IRACE READY FOR TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Posted on: March 26th, 2020
Location: post

DEARBORN, MI – March 26, 2020 – Ryan Blaney found himself like many race fans last weekend as he watched the NASCAR debut of iRacing from the grandstands.  And while he enjoyed the view, he’s used to being part of the action.

So, when Fox Sports hits the airwaves on Sunday from the virtual Texas Motor Speedway, Blaney will be behind the wheel of his familiar No. 12 Ford Mustang.

“I’ve never been a big iRacing person for multiple reasons, but it just looked like it was a lot of fun,” said Blaney.  “The thing that pushed me into making it want to happen was seeing how the fans enjoyed it. Social media was blowing up and people really enjoyed just watching some form of racing again, which is nice.  I saw their support and their push for me to try to get in, so I was happy we were able to make it happen.”

Blaney has internet connectivity issues from his home, one of the few drawbacks he finds living in the North Carolina wilderness, so he’s joined forces with his spotter, Josh Williams.  A noted iRacer himself, Williams is opening his house and loaning his rig so Blaney can compete.

“I practiced on Monday and Josh has kind of been helping me out,” said Blaney, whose only real simulator experience has come at the Ford Performance Technical Center in Concord, NC.  “I’m not the biggest tech savvy person out there, especially when it comes to that stuff, but it was neat watching everybody on there again. There were a lot of Cup guys and XFINITY guys and some Truck guys doing it, but it’s something I’m pretty green at, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Last Sunday’s race at Homestead featured nine cautions as a mix of experience led to some major wrecks, but, thanks to their handy reset button, everybody was able to finish.  Blaney is hoping he doesn’t need that this weekend, but he’s glad it’s there, just in case.

And despite his relative lack of iRacing laps, Blaney says his goal for Sunday is the same as if he were going to be buckling into his real stock car.

“You want to win the race.  Competitors are competitors no matter what they’re playing,” he said.  “You want to win, so that’s why I’m practicing on Josh’s rig a little bit during this week to try and get a feel for it.  You don’t want to go in there not knowing anything and make yourself look silly.

“You want to have a shot at it, so you want to try to win the race, but it’s also about having fun and hoping you don’t wreck anybody,” continued Blaney.  “The stakes aren’t as high, but, at the end of the day, I believe it’s a good time for everyone.”

Fans can watch Sunday’s race live at 1:00 ET on FS1 and the Fox Sports app.

*Courtesy of Ford Performance

KESELOWSKI WINS AT BRISTOL WITH A NEVER-GIVE UP EFFORT

Posted on: June 2nd, 2020
Location: post

BRISTOL, TN – June 2, 2020 – Brad Keselowski and the No. 2 crew, with their never give up effort, won Sunday’s Food City Supermarket Heroes 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. This marked the fifth win of the NASCAR Cup season for Ford Performance and Team Penske’s 75th all-time Cup win with Ford.
“Congratulations to Brad, Jeremy, Roger, and the entire Team Penske organization,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “What an exciting finish. Once again, the teams put themselves in position to win and the Ford Mustang’s came away with a 1-2 finish with Brad and Clint {Bowyer}. Congratulations to Roger and his team on 75 wins with Ford. It’s great to be back to racing and delivering exciting finishes for the fans.”
It looked like the wild, wild west at Bristol Motor Speedway Sunday afternoon. With 2-laps remaining, race leaders Joey Logano and Chase Elliott made contact and collided with the outside wall, leaving an opening at the bottom of the track for a well-positioned No. 2 Ford Mustang to take advantage of the track position and take the lead. Keselowski was followed by the No. 14 of Bowyer from Stewart-Haas Racing to make it a 1-2 finish for Ford Performance.
Keselowski now has 32 all-time points Cup Series career wins and is tied with fellow Team Penske teammate Logano and former Roush Fenway Racing driver, Carl Edwards with 23 NASCAR Cup Series wins since joining Ford Performance and Roush Yates Engines.

“An incredible day. I’m so happy for the team,” commented Keselowski. “This was a never-give-up effort. That’s what we’re becoming as a team. We kind of got a Christmas present here in Bristol. We’ll take it. We’re in position and able to strike when it counted with the Discount Tire Ford Mustang. We were just in position to strike and here we are in victory lane.”
Keselowski started from the pole position to lead a total of 115 laps of the 500-lap race and Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney led 60 laps until retiring after an incident with Ty Dillon. In addition, Matt DiBenedetto from Wood Brother’s Racing led four laps and Logano led two laps.
With the 1-2, Keselowski – Bowyer finish, Ford continues to lead the Manufacturer Standings by 25 points. In addition, Stewart-Haas Racing (370 points) and Team Penske (346 points) continue to lead the Owner Standings.
Monday night, in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Cheddar’s 300, it all came down to a green-white-checkered finish for Chase Briscoe. He raced Noah Gragson hard off the restart, but ultimately finished the night second. In addition, Briscoe secured a position to run for an extra $100,000 in Atlanta this upcoming weekend.

Briscoe and Stewart-Haas Racing continue to lead the Driver Standings and Owner Standings in points.
NASCAR will head to Atlanta, Georgia later on this week, where the Xfinity Series will run the EchoPark 250 on Saturday and the Cup Series will run the Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500.

27 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 386 WINS – 357 POLES!

*Photos courtesy of NASCAR Media & Getty Images
About Roush Yates Engines 
Roush Yates Engines is a leading-edge engine development company based in Mooresville, NC consisting of two state-of-the-art facilities – Roush Yates Engines and Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions, a world class ISO 9001 / AS9100 certified CNC manufacturing facility. The company’s core business includes designing, building and testing purpose-built race engines.

Ford Performance in partnership with Roush Yates Engines is the exclusive engine builder of the NASCAR FR9 Ford V8 engine and Ford Mustang 5.2L V8 engine, used in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series.

With an unparalleled culture of winning and steeped in rich racing history, Roush Yates Engines continues to follow the company’s vision to lead performance engine innovation and staying true to the company’s mission, provide race winning engines through demonstrated power and performance.

3 Series – 22 Teams – 81 Races

EIGHT FORD DRIVERS HEADED INTO NASCAR CUP SERIES PLAYOFFS

Posted on: September 2nd, 2020
Location: post

MOORESVILLE, NC – September 2, 2020 – Clint Bowyer and Matt DiBenedetto clinched two additional spots in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, to give Ford eight cars in the field of 16. Ford is poised and ready for a deep playoff run.

Bowyer, who entered last weekend’s race at Daytona with a virtual lock on a playoff berth, made it official after Stage 1.

Kevin Harvick will start the playoffs as the top-seed with Brad Keselowski 3rd, Joey Logano 4th, Ryan Blaney 7th, Cole Custer 11th, Aric Almirola 12th, Clint Bowyer 13th and Matt DiBenedetto 16th.

Brad Keselowski 3rd

“It’s good to be in a good spot for the playoffs.  We have a lot of bonus points and obviously we wanted more than what we have, but we’re allowed to be greedy.”

Joey Logano 4th

Ryan Blaney 7th

“We got DiBenedetto in the playoffs, which is good for that group, and looking forward to the next 10 weeks.  It should be a lot of fun.”

Cole Custer 11th

Aric Almirola 12th

Clint Bowyer 13th

Matt DiBenedetto 16th

“I promise you my wife, Taylor, is at home crying right now.  I can bet you anything.  My parents are here in the stands.  They drove all the way down from North Carolina.  My brother in the military, him and his girlfriend were able to make it here, so this is really special to make it in the playoffs.  My career has been one I had to fight, claw, scratch for everything and it makes me so appreciative.  I say the little things, but this is a big one making the playoffs for the Wood Brothers.  This is very big, really special and I’m glad we’ll be able to get to work and do the best we can the rest of the season and we have a lot of really good tracks and short tracks coming.”

The Cup Series’ next race is the Cook Out Southern 500, scheduled Sunday, Sept. 6 (6 p.m. ET, NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM) at Darlington Raceway. The Labor Day weekend classic opens the 10-race playoff march that will determine the 2020 championship.

*Courtesy of Ford Performance and Getty Images

EDSEL is the HEART and SOUL of FORD MOTOR COMPANY in NASCAR

Posted on: January 30th, 2020
Location: post

MOORESVILLE, NC – January 30, 2020 – Edsel B. Ford II has crossed paths with many people during his lifetime, including celebrities, politicians and corporate heavyweights.  But when he is presented the Landmark Award during the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction ceremony Friday night, he’ll be in front of a group he loves more than anything — the racing community.

“Racing has always been an important part of Ford Motor Company’s heritage, but it has been Edsel’s personal, lifelong passion that has been so instrumental in the success of NASCAR.  Whether he is interacting with the drivers, the teams, the racing community or our employees, he makes everyone feel like a member of the Ford family,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company.  “There is no one more deserving of this award and I am thrilled to see Edsel recognized for his dedication and contributions to NASCAR.”

For anyone who knows Edsel Ford it’s no great secret how much auto racing means to him.  Ever since going to the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the age of 17 with his father, former Ford Motor Company chairman and CEO Henry Ford II, and seeing Ford produce a 1-2-3 sweep in 1966, he has been infatuated with motorsports and the people who do it for a living.

That passion has been seen in a number of different ways and has had a direct impact on the sport.

“I don’t think people really realize how much Edsel has done for NASCAR,” said Eddie Wood, who has known Ford most of his adult life while helping run Wood Brothers Racing.  “I credit him with bringing the factories back into NASCAR because prior to the early eighties they weren’t in it.  The manufacturers dropped out in the seventies because of the energy crisis, but he brought Ford Motorsports back in 1982 with the new Thunderbird and that started a movement where the other OEM’s followed.

“Edsel was part of the reason this sport grew, and I don’t think we would be where we are today if that hadn’t happened,” continued Wood.  “He was the leader of it all because I think he believed in the ‘Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday’ philosophy and still does today.”

While his contributions to the sport as a whole have been notable, it’s what he’s done within Ford to bolster the company’s overall success in NASCAR that stands out most.

“It was Edsel’s idea to have my dad start his race team and to keep Dale Jarrett in the car after the accidents involving Davey (Allison) and Ernie (Irvan),” said Roush Yates Engines CEO Doug Yates, son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Robert Yates.  “And he was also the driving force behind the Ford Quality Care sponsorship that our team had from 1996-2000 with Dale and Robert Yates Racing.

“Having him sit at the head table with all of us to celebrate our championship in 1999 is my favorite banquet memory because without Edsel we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to be able to accomplish those great things,” added Yates.  “The credit in large part goes to him.”

Doug Yates also cited Ford as an instrumental part in bringing Robert Yates and Jack Roush together in 2004 to form what is now known as Roush Yates Engines.  Since joining forces, the operation has produced 144 race wins and two championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, as well as a successful Ford sports car engine program that helped bring the company its Le Mans victory in 2016.

“That was a critical moment for our company, our family, and myself, but without his influence there may not be a Roush Yates,” said Doug Yates.  “I appreciate him for personally getting involved and all the things he did in laying the groundwork to make that become a reality.”

For Roush, it was nothing new to see Ford step in and exert his influence during that time because he had seen it happen many times before.

“When I started my road racing program he encouraged Lincoln-Mercury to use some of their marketing dollars to sponsor me and get me going,” recalled Roush, who rewarded that faith by winning manufacturers’ championships in 1984 and 1985 and eventually two dozen road racing championships in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) combined.  “He put down the seed corn to get us going, and I’m sure I would not have gotten involved in road racing in the eighties, with Zakspeed initially, had he not had his fingerprints on the throttle.”

As if all of that wasn’t enough, Ford has also served the sport as a member of the Board of Directors of International Speedway Corporation, which merged last fall with NASCAR, and has been Ford’s voting representative ever since the NASCAR Hall of Fame began inducting members in 2010.

“Over the course of Ford’s incredible history in NASCAR, Edsel has been our North Star, our ambassador,” said Jim Farley, president, New Businesses, Technology & Strategy, Ford Motor Company.  “He has never wavered for his support of the NASCAR family, fans, Ford engineers, drivers, officials, track owners and promoters. His contributions and passion for this iconic American sport has greatly influenced Ford’s commitment to performance on and off the track.”

But what makes Ford so endearing to those who travel 38 weekends a year isn’t the fact that he’s the great-grandson of founder Henry Ford, it’s his personable nature and genuine respect for what they do.

When he goes to the racetrack, you won’t find him walking through the garage area with a big entourage in tow.  Instead, you’ll see Ford going hauler to hauler engaging in conversation with drivers, crew chiefs, owners, and crew members.  In a sport where speed is the most important element of all, Ford is in no hurry when making his rounds because he enjoys just being one of the guys.

“He just fits in,” said Wood.  “I’ve noticed the last few years he’ll start on one end of the garage and as he makes his way around people will just stop him and want his autograph on pictures.  Just him being around with his heritage and the family legacy that he carries is one of the best things in the sport.”

And that feeling isn’t just reserved for those people with ties to the Blue Oval.  It’s industrywide and includes the likes of Jeff Gordon and Ray Evernham.  Mention Ford’s name to them and they’ll immediately tell the story of how they knocked on his door in New York’s Waldorf-Astoria hotel at 4 a.m.

The duo was in the midst of their post-banquet celebration in 1997 after winning their second Cup Series championship and wanted to congratulate Ford on winning the manufacturers’ title, so they found out what room he was in and decided to pay him a visit.  After a minute or two of waiting anxiously in the hallway, they were delighted to see Ford not only open the door, but welcome them inside to share a few laughs.

“The love the NASCAR drivers – whether they be driving for Ford or someone else – have for Edsel is remarkable, said Joe Hinrichs, president, Automotive, Ford Motor Company.  “It is that knowledge and commitment to the sport that has served Ford and NASCAR well for several decades, and has earned him respect from the global racing community. There is no person more deserving than Edsel.”

Ford will become the sixth person to receive the Landmark Award, which recognizes someone on an annual basis for their contributions to the sport, joining Jim France, Jim Hunter, H. Clay Earles, Harold Brasington, and Anne Bledsoe France.

“He is a landmark, isn’t he?,” quipped Bill Elliott, a 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee who ranks second on the all-time Ford win list with 40 Cup Series victories.  “He deserves it.  He was around in the era we came up through, and I appreciate all he’s done for not only us, but the entire sport.”

Edsel Ford has had a front row seat for many of the great moments in Ford’s racing history and established lifelong friendships in the process.

“Edsel is just like family to us because he’s always there when you need him,” said Wood, who along with brother Len and sister Kim serve as co-owners of NASCAR’s longest active team.  “We talk often and we don’t always talk about racing.  We talk about kids and grandkids, and we just talk about life.  He’s helped us through a whole lot of tight spots or just things in our life or career that needed some guidance. He’s the godfather of Ford racing, but he’s also part of our family.”

After witnessing that historic 24 Hours of Le Mans victory in 1966, Ford followed along as the legendary trio of Carroll Shelby, Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt repeated that win and become the first — and to this day only – all-American team to win the famed endurance race in 1967.

Ford parlayed that experience into a summer job a few years later with Shelby that, among other things, involved using an acidic wash to magna flush car parts.  It wasn’t long after that he also met Roush for the first time.

“I was at the Winternationals in Pomona, California in 1973 or 1974 when I met Edsel and he was still a college student in Boston at the time,” recalled Roush, who was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame last year.  “He has always been a proponent of using motorsports to market Ford Motor Company’s products to generate excitement for the company and he has helped create a lot of champions in various racing series.”

Ford spent time learning the finer points of road racing from NASCAR Hall of Famer and World War II hero Bud Moore, who spearheaded Ford’s dominance in the Trans-Am Series with Parnelli Jones in 1970.  He also followed and became a close friend to Sir Jackie Stewart, who won the Formula One World Championship for Ford three times (1969, 1971, 1973).  In fact, the two became so close that Stewart served as a groomsman in Ford’s wedding.

In more recent times, Ford was on top of the pit box for one of the most memorable wins in Daytona 500 history with NASCAR Hall of Famers Glenn and Leonard Wood in 2011, and celebrated on stage at Homestead-Miami Speedway when Joey Logano won the 2018 Cup Series championship.

He’s seen it all and has even done it all as his top speed of 206.6 miles per hour driving his personal Ford GT last year at the Sun Valley Road Rally can attest.

It’s safe to say that Ford won’t be going that fast when he walks across the stage to accept his award, but those in attendance will be quick to show their appreciation for what he’s meant to the sport all these years.

“Edsel is the heart and soul of Ford Motor Company in NASCAR,” said Yates.  “I know this award means a lot to him and it means a lot to everybody that’s been a part of the journey with him.”

IT’S TIME TO HAVE SOME FUN AND GET CRAFTY

Posted on: March 31st, 2020
Location: post

MOORESVILLE, NC – March 31, 2020 – Looking for something fun to do, you can color one of your favorite engines or do a fun cross-word puzzle with your family.

Simply print off one of these coloring book pages, get your favorite crayons or markers and go to town. Once you’re finished you can share it with us on Twitter or Facebook at @roushyates.

HARVICK WINS AND SECURES FORD’S FOURTH WIN IN A ROW AT ATLANTA

Posted on: June 8th, 2020
Location: post

HAMPTON, GA – June 8, 2020 – Kevin Harvick delivered a special birthday present to crew chief Rodney Childers by winning Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500. This was Ford’s fourth win in a row at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
“Four in a row at Atlanta! What an accomplishment for everyone at Ford Performance and Roush Yates Engines. Congratulations to Kevin, Rodney, Tony, Gene and everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “No practice nor qualifying has definitely been an adjustment for all of us, and to see Stewart-Haas and other Ford Performance teams run well is a testament to all the hard work of the entire team.”
This abrasive track paired with hot and humid weather made for a great race Sunday afternoon. Tires were crucial to all the competitors on track, putting pressure on the pit crews to get their drivers off pit road first. “We had a great pit stop (during the last caution), then we had a restart on the bottom, and it got my car to take off,” said Harvick. “I was able to get track position and then once I could get through those first 10 laps and my car was freed up enough to where I could get into rhythm and really started hitting my marks.”
Atlanta has always been a special place for Harvick, as he scored his very first NASCAR Cup Series victory in 2001. Harvick has led a total of 1,348 laps at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the most among active drivers. Throughout Sunday’s race, Fox Sports broadcasters’ mentioned “Harvicking”, referencing Kevin’s unique driving style around this challenging track.

Harvick paid tribute to the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. by holding three fingers out the window after crossing the finish line. “This is just a racetrack that I’ve taken a liking to, and you always come back and have those memories and now you want to celebrate everything that Dale Earnhardt did for this sport,” commented Harvick.
Harvick started from P9 and led a race-high 151 of the 325 laps. All three Team Penske Mustangs finished inside the top-10. Ryan Blaney finished in P4, Brad Keselowski in P9, and Joey Logano in P10. Clint Bowyer in the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Mustang also led three times for 58 laps but pitted late in the race and finished outside the top-10.
With Harvick’s second win of the season, he retains the top spot in the driver points standings and maintains the owner standings lead for Stewart-Haas Racing. Logano currently sits second just 48 points out and Keselowski is forth, 75 points out of the lead. Ford leads all manufactures with six wins this season, four of those races since NASCAR returned to action May 17th.
The Xfinity series also took on Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend. Austin Cindric jumped out to an early lead and finished Stage 1 nearly nine seconds ahead of Ross Chastain. Stage 2 was all about the Mustangs, Cindric took Stage 2 checkered flag with Chase Briscoe in P2. During the final stage late race pit stop, both Briscoe and Cindric were penalized for speeding on pit road. Both Ford drivers came up through the field with purpose, Briscoe finishing P9 and Cindric P16.

Briscoe in the No. 98 Stewart-Haas Racing machine maintained the top spot in driver points and Cindric in the No. 22 Team Penske Ford is sixth, just 55 points behind.
The NASCAR Cup Series will make a quick turnaround for Wednesday night racing at Martinsville Speedway, then down to Homestead-Miami Speedway for some Sunday afternoon action. The NASCAR Xfinity Series will run the first double-header of 2020 this upcoming weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway with two races in two days, running the same car and engine.

27 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 387 WINS – 357 POLES!
*Photos courtesy of NASCAR Media & Getty Images
About Roush Yates Engines 
Roush Yates Engines is a leading-edge engine development company based in Mooresville, NC consisting of two state-of-the-art facilities – Roush Yates Engines and Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions, a world class ISO 9001 / AS9100 certified CNC manufacturing facility. The company’s core business includes designing, building and testing purpose-built race engines.

Ford Performance in partnership with Roush Yates Engines is the exclusive engine builder of the NASCAR FR9 Ford V8 engine and Ford Mustang 5.2L V8 engine, used in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series.

With an unparalleled culture of winning and steeped in rich racing history, Roush Yates Engines continues to follow the company’s vision to lead performance engine innovation and staying true to the company’s mission, provide race winning engines through demonstrated power and performance.

3 Series – 22 Teams – 81 Races

HARVICK WINS NASCAR CUP PLAYOFF RACE AT DARLINGTON

Posted on: September 8th, 2020
Location: post
DARLINGTON, SC – September 8, 2020 – Kevin Harvick won his eighth NASCAR Cup Series race of the 2020 season and first race of the NASCAR Playoffs at the Southern 500. Harvick collected his second win at Darlington Raceway this season for Stewart-Haas Racing and Ford Performance.
“Congratulations to Kevin, Rodney, and the entire No. 4 crew,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Kevin and the No.4 crew never gave up and were in position to take the lead at the right time for the first win of the playoffs and our 175th Cup win. “
After battling his car set up for a good part of the race, Harvick found himself in a perfect position to take the lead after Chase Elliott and Martin Truex Jr. tangled and hit the wall in the last stage of the race. Harvick passed Elliott on lap 355 to lead a total of 32 laps. As the laps wound down Harvick defended a hard charging Austin Dillon, holding him off on the last corner to take the checkered flag a mere .343 seconds ahead of Dillon.
“Anytime you can win the Southern 500 is a good day,” commented Harvick. “This is one of the most prestigious races in our sport and this is one of the most prestigious racetracks in our sport, so anytime you can win at Darlington it’s a big deal, but, man, Southern 500!”
Four Ford Mustangs finished in the top-10. Following Harvick was Team Penske’s Joey Logano in P3 and Stewart-Haas teammates Aric Almirola and Clint Bowyer in P9 and P10 respectively.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series also took on the Lady in Black. Chase Briscoe led 55 of the 147-lap race and came in P11 while fellow Ford Performance teammate, Austin Cindric came in P12.
In addition, the Ford Mustang GT4s were back in action in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Series at Road Atlanta.  Seb Priaulx and Scott Maxwell had their best finish of the year finishing on the podium in P2. Fellow Ford teammates from PF Motorsports, Chad McCumbee and James Pesek finished P8.
With the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in full swing NASCAR heads to Richmond where the Xfinity Series will run a double-header and the Cup Series will run the second race of the Cup playoffs.
27 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 405 WINS – 362 POLES!
About Roush Yates Engines 
Roush Yates Engines is a leading-edge engine development company based in Mooresville, NC consisting of two state-of-the-art facilities – Roush Yates Engines and Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions, a world class ISO 9001 / AS9100 certified CNC manufacturing facility. The company’s core business includes designing, building and testing purpose-built race engines.

Ford Performance in partnership with Roush Yates Engines is the exclusive engine builder of the NASCAR FR9 Ford V8 engine and Ford Mustang 5.2L V8 engine, used in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series.

With an unparalleled culture of winning and steeped in rich racing history, Roush Yates Engines continues to follow the company’s vision to lead performance engine innovation and staying true to the company’s mission, provide race winning engines through demonstrated power and performance.

3 Series – 22 Teams – 81 Races
*Photos courtesy of NASCAR Media & Getty Images

BRISCOE POSTS 5TH-PLACE FINISH TO LEAD FORD IN NXS OPENER

Posted on: February 19th, 2020
Location: post

DAYTONA, FL – February 18, 2020 – Chase Briscoe secured Ford in the top-5 at the NASCAR Racing Experience 300 this weekend.

Ford Finishing Results:
5th  – Chase Briscoe  
25th  – Austin Cindric  

CHASE BRISCOE, No. 98 Highpoint.com Ford Mustang –  Finished 5th
“That one is going to sting for awhile for sure. I feel like we were making more moves than anybody and I thought I was going to have a really good shot there at the end. I don’t know what was up with the 19, he couldn’t give me any help on the bottom. It was just one of those where you wish you would have picked the top. We went on the bottom because at the time it felt like the right decision. For our first race with Highpoint.com to almost put them in victory lane here at Daytona would have been pretty special. We will go on to Las Vegas next week and I feel like we will have a good car next week. This is a good way to start the season. You can bury yourself in points here, so for us to come out with a fourth place finish and a clean race car to go to Talladega goes a long way.”

WHAT ABOUT THAT INCIDENT BEFORE THE LAST ONE WHERE EVERYONE GOTSTACKED UP BEHIND YOU?
“I had just taken the lead and I saw them wrecking in my rearview mirror. I don’t really know what happened. I wish that caution didn’t come out though. I had taken control of the lead and feel like I could have blocked my way to the win. It just wasn’t in the cards today. But we will go to Las Vegas next week where I feel like we are going to be strong and hopefully get this Ford Mustang in victory lane.”

AUSTIN CINDRIC, No. 22 MoneyLion Ford Mustang – Finished 25th
“I was just watching the replay there.  It looks like it was in a tough spot or he got compressed pretty hard, but it was definitely the push that I gave him that sent him around, but I thought I pushed him in the right spot.  It was obviously the time in the race to push, so it’s unfortunate.  I wish our MoneyLion Ford Mustang would have been there to see the end of the race.  We obviously ran up front all day, but it’s too bad to tear up some cars, but that’s what you get here at Daytona.”

WHAT HAPPENED?
“Everyone is trying to make moves happen.  It’s Daytona.  Everyone is in a pack.  Everyone is pushing hard.  The 98 jumped up in front of the pack.  The 9 car jumped in front of the top lane, so it really compressed us.  I thought I gave the 8 the right
push at the right spot in the bumper, so I don’t really know why he got loose there.  Maybe he was trying to move, but overall it was unfortunate.  We had a fast MoneyLion Ford Mustang.  We ran up front all day and just could never get me and Chase synced up to where we could help each other.  You were usually just fighting teammates, so that’s what was difficult about today, but we’re going to Vegas and
start our season.”

WHAT WAS THE PLAN IF THE RACE STAYED GREEN?
“The first goal is to have a Ford win the race.  That’s the big deal and obviously we had the two of us and the 19 was probably the wild car, whether he was gonna go with us or the JRM guys, but the game changed pretty quickly there.  I wasn’t expecting it to go all green.  It never does in these races, so it’s just unfortunate we weren’t able to make the top lane work there and ended our day.”

* Courtesy of Ford Performance

EVEN OFF-TRACK, NASCAR’S MATT DIBENEDETTO IS A MUSTANG MAN

Posted on: April 8th, 2020
Location: post

DEARBORN, MI – April 8, 2020 – It’s one of the questions that seems to come up every weekend as many Ford drivers make their way through various hospitality spots or question and answer sessions with NASCAR fans: What do you drive when you’re not racing?” As you might imagine, the answers run the gamut. But for Matt DiBenedetto, who is in his first year driving the No. 21 Motorcraft Ford for the Wood Brothers, there’s only one — Mustang.

“When I found out I had a choice of any vehicle this year it was an easy decision for me,” said DiBenedetto, who, along with his wife, Taylor, selected a 2020 Velocity Blue Mustang GT. “I love the new Mustang and since we don’t have kids it’s the kind of car that’s fun to drive, especially going back and forth to the race shop. That’s why I chose it.”

However, when you’re a self-professed car nut who likes to tinker and modify whatever you drive, choosing it is just the beginning.

“I like to modify my street cars and make them unique to me. This is my fourth Mustang and it’s a six-speed manual, so I couldn’t resist,” said DiBenedetto, who has a second-place finish at Las Vegas and sits ninth in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings after four races this season. “I put an aftermarket exhaust system on it, so it’s not very quiet. I don’t know if I was supposed to do that because it’s a company car, but I plan to buy it at the end of the year anyway, so I just went ahead and did it.”

DiBenedetto calls this need for modification a bad habit, but if that’s the case, he has plenty of good company. It all started when he was 15 years old and got a 2006 Mustang with a GT66 package for his first car — a six-cylinder with black and silver stripes. A couple of years later, it was a used 2006 Saleen S-281 Mustang that he modified with some exhaust work, smaller pulley, and dyno tuning.

“Nothing too crazy,” he said.

More recently, he had a 2017 Mustang GT350 that he altered by putting on headers, a full exhaust and short shifter.

“I’ve always known the ins and outs of my Mustangs and my passion has been modifying them,” said DiBenedetto, who also gets assistance from professionals like Anthony Ballard, whom he met at a car show and has now become a good friend. “We became friends just because of the strict fact he likes modifying Mustangs and I like modifying Mustangs, but we met through the car culture.

“All he does is build and tune Mustangs and does really super-cool cars,” DiBenedetto said of Ballard, who owns Signature Speed in Granite Falls, North Carolina. “His cars make crazy horsepower. He’s got a full-blown drag car that is a 2013 Mustang and he just has all kinds of fast stuff.”

And while many enthusiasts like to work on their Mustangs and hold on to them forever, DiBenedetto prefers to get on the road and drive them for the enjoyment of it before putting the ‘For Sale’ sign in the window.

“The winding roads are the most fun, especially when you’re driving a car that you have a passion for,” he said. “I look forward to the trip up to Bristol because it’s not too far from Hickory, so going up Highway 181 is a fun drive.”

DiBenedetto’s love for Mustang comes straight from his father, Tony, who had a number of them, including a Boss 429 that he spent countless hours working on.

“He had a passion for Mustangs when he was really young and passed that down to me because I share that from the old ones to the new ones,” said Matt. “I’ve always appreciated the history of Mustang, and now that I’m driving for the Wood Brothers, who have been with Ford for the last 70 years, it makes everything pretty neat.”

*Courtesy of Ford Performance