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Feb

2011 Ford Mustang GT Named As Daytona 500 Pace Car

By Nelson Ireson Car Expert January 19th, 2010

The 2011 Ford Mustang GT is getting some major upgrades this year, including a new 5.0-liter 412-horsepower engine, and that’s enough to make it the pick for the pace car of the 2010 Daytona 500. It is the first Ford car picked to pace the race in 40 years.

The last Ford car to pace the Daytona 500 was the 1970 Ford Torino GT convertible. The 2011 Mustang GT is also the first Mustang to get the honor. But what does all this historical trivia mean to you?

It means that there will be a special limited-edition run of 50 pace cars built and sold to the public. The actual pace car itself is going to be up for sale, too, going under the hammer at the 39th Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Collector Car auction on January 23–and Richard Petty will be alongside the car to help it sell.

Not that it’ll need the help. On top of the 2011 Mustang GT’s already impressive spec sheet, the pace car gets a special Daytona 500 paint theme, Ford Racing suspension, upgraded strut tower brace and mufflers, unique painted wheels and a special interior look with unique sill plates denoting its Daytona heritage.

The 2010 Daytona 500 will run on February 14th at the Daytona International Speedway.

Apr

Ford Fusion Hybrid to be driven 1,000 miles on one tank of gas

By Ron Olson Leave a Comment

Categories: Fusion, Future Vehicles, Green, Hybrids, Nascar and fun stuff

Ford really wants to get the word out there that their new 2010 Fusion Hybrid is a force to be reckoned with, recently announcing a campaign to put the vehicle’s fuel efficiency to the test.

Apparently, the above car is set to be driven over 1,000 miles for 43 consecutive hours from Mount Vernon, VA to Washington, DC, all on a single tank of gas. Ford is saying that the car needs to average 57 miles per gallon, a task that may actually be accomplishable given the fact it has reached as high as 70 miles per gallon.

And to top it all off, the drive will raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. You get em’ Ford!

Press release after the break.Ford Team Aims To Drive 2010 Fusion Hybrid 1,000 Miles on a Single Tank of Gas

The Ford Fusion Hybrid team will attempt to drive more than 1,000 miles for more than 43 continuous hours – on a single tank of gas, raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the process
The most fuel-efficient, mid-sized sedan in America – the Fusion Hybrid driven by a team of Ford hybrid engineers, a fuel efficiency expert and a NASCAR star, will have to achieve an average of at least 57 mpg on the challenge to reach its goal
By using Eco-Driving techniques engineers have achieved 70 mpg during testing of the Ford Fusion Hybrid in preparation for the challenge
Consumers can improve their own vehicle’s fuel economy performance is by adopting Ford’s “Eco-Driving” tips used for the 1,000-Mile Challenge

Continue reading ‘Ford Fusion Hybrid to be driven 1,000 miles on one tank of gas’

Sep

Relief for GM and Ford (F) as UAW sends a signal

By peytontstephens Leave a Comment

Categories: Fusion, Nascar and Public Affairs

FORD FUSION, NASCAR RACING: A NATURAL FITDearborn, Mich. — Thirty-eight years.
That’s how long it’s been since Ford introduced an all-new model and went NASCAR racing with that model at the same time.
That 1968 car was the Ford Torino, which went on to be a hit in both the marketplace and on the race track. NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson took the Torino to championships in both 1968 and 1969.
Ford is confident the 2006 Ford Fusion will experience similar success, both on and off the track.
“Fusion’s bold, new styling and its dynamic driving personality are very consistent with what you would look for in both a production car and a race car,” said Marty Collins, General Marketing Manager, Ford Division.
“We believe that Fusion is a car that demands to be noticed, and in a sport like NASCAR, there’s going to be millions of race fans tuning in every week who are going to have a great opportunity to see Fusion in a winning situation, and associate that winning with the Ford brand.”
Ford believes the demographics of the NASCAR audience and the customer interested in Fusion match up very well.
“NASCAR fans, and the Fusion customer, both encompass a broad spectrum of America,” said Burt Diamond, global marketing manager, Ford Racing Technology. “One in three adult Americans consider themselves NASCAR fans, so that’s a huge population base that we have to work with in helping Ford Division market the car.
“We know the NASCAR fan base is more family-oriented, and is becoming more ethnically diverse and more affluent than ever before, so it really makes sense for us to feature this new car among these audiences.”
The new Fusion production car and the new race version will start appearing together this Saturday when the first of nine Ford Racing Innovation Drives takes place at Kentucky Speedway.
Several thousand consumers will get the first chance to drive the new production Fusion and other Ford products on the Speedway track, while the new NASCAR Fusion, unveiled today in Charlotte, will make its first public appearance at the event.

Aug

Bristol: Ford Wins!

By peytontstephens Leave a Comment

Categories: Nascar

Bristol: NASCAR Nextel Cup Race Results – Edwards, Ford Win!

Carl Edwards does his back flip after ‘the biggest win of his career’.
Credit: CIA Stock Photo

Before an estimated crowd of 160,000, Carl Edwards won the Sharpie 500, his sixth career NASCAR Nextel Cup Series victory. The win was his second victory of the season, and sixth victory in 109 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series races.

“Man, this is the biggest win of my career,” said Edwards of his first Bristol win. “To win here at Bristol, I think, is everybody’s dream. I don’t know if this is gonna sink in. This is the night race at Bristol – 500 laps and we won it!”

Jeff Gordon’s car was falling apart, but his points lead was safe.
Credit: CIA Stock Photo

Edwards continued, “Unbelievable. I am living the dream thanks to Jack Roush. Anybody out there who has a dream just follow it. I think every short track racer out there dreams about this.”

The victory is the 99th all-time Cup win for car owner Jack Roush.

For Ford, it was the 10th win of the last 16 Cup races at Bristol, including the last three Bristol night races.

While Ford has struggled this season, it was a nice reward. The win was the fourth for Ford in 2007 of 24 races, but impressively was the manufacturer’s 580th all-time Cup win. Overall, Ford has 31 all-time Cup wins at Bristol Motor Speedway, which is the most at any current NASCAR Nextel Cup track.

Pole sitter, Kasey Kahne finished second in his No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge and posted his third top-10 finish of 2007 and his second in eight Bristol races.

Just behind, Clint Bowyer gave Chevrolet their best finish on the night. By finishing third, he tied his career-best finish set at Fontana in September 2006.

Jeff Gordon continues to lead the 2007 point standings. He has led the point standings since Bristol and is now 349 points ahead of Tony Stewart.

The top five in the point standings have clinched a berth in the 2007 Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup: Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards.

Fourteen driver are still mathematically eligible to make the Chase, however Dale Earnhardt Jr. – who finished fifth at Bristol – in 13th is 158 points behind 12th-place Kurt Busch – who finished sixth at Bristol – and can not move into the top 12 in the next race (providing both drivers start the race) if Busch finishes 41st or better.

Robby Gordon spins across the finish line to finish 20th
Credit: CIA Stock Photo

NASCAR Race Number 24
Unofficial Race Results for the Sharpie 500 – Saturday, August 25, 2007
Bristol Motor Speedway – Bristol, TN – .53 Mile Paved
Total Race Length – Laps – Miles – Purse: $6,182,147

Fin

Str

Car

Driver

Team

Laps

Pts

Bns

Total Award

Status

Times

Laps

Race Comments: Before an estimated crowd of 160,000 – Carl Edwards won the Sharpie 500, his sixth career NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series victory. Prior to the green flag the following driver(s) dropped to the rear for the reason(s) indicated: #01 Almirola and #11 Hamlin (engine change).
Failed to Qualify: (5) 00 David Reutimann #, 78 Sterling Marlin, 83 Brian Vickers, 37 Kevin Lepage, 34 Stanton Barrett.
Time of Race: 02 Hrs, 59 Mins, 39 Secs. Average Speed: 89.006 MPH Margin of Victory: 1.405 Seconds
Caution Flags: 9 for 61 laps: Laps: 127-134 (#70 accident turn 2); 212-219 (Oil on track); 227-232 (#01,84 accident turn 3); 370-377 (#6 spun turn 4); 397-402 (#6 spun turn 4); 422-427 (#6 spun turn 1); 439-443 (#7 spun turn 2); 453-462 (#88,48,17 accidne turn 1); 466-469 (Debris).
Lead Changes: 12 among 8 drivers: K. Kahne 1-36; C. Edwards 37-64; K. Kahne 65-330; C. Edwards 331; K. Kahne 332-334; C. Edwards 335-357; D. Earnhardt Jr. 358; Ku. Busch 359-360; R. Newman 361-362; Ky. Busch 363-365; J. Gordon 366-367; R. Gordon 368-370; C. Edwards 371-500.
Top 12 Driver Points: (1) J. Gordon 3,582;(2) T. Stewart 3,233;(3) D. Hamlin 3,229;(4) M. Kenseth 3,163;(5) C. Edwards 3,160;(6) J. Johnson 3,059;(7) J. Burton 3,054;(8) Ky. Busch 3,024;(9) C. Bowyer 2,944;(10) K. Harvick 2,888;(11) M. Truex Jr. 2,887;(12) Ku. Busch 2,879.
Budweiser Pole Award : KASEY KAHNE, #9 (119.805 mph) Checkers/Rally’s : CLINT BOWYER, #07 (115.943 seconds)
Commit Lozenges : KASEY KAHNE, #9 DIRECTV : KASEY KAHNE, #9
DOW Automotive Strategic Call : CARL EDWARDS, #99 EA Sports : CARL EDWARDS, #99
Goodyear Gatorback Fastest Lap : KASEY KAHNE, #9 (117.61 mph, Lap 4) Mobil 1 : DALE EARNHARDT, JR, #8
Raybestos Rookie of the Year : JUAN PABLO MONTOYA, #42 Sunoco Diamond Performance : CARL EDWARDS, #99
USG Improving the Finish : J J YELEY, #18 (27 Places) WIX Lap Leader : KASEY KAHNE, #9 (305 Laps)
Next Race: Sep. 2, 2007 – California Speedway