Five’s Company: Employees Celebrate Multiple Championships Brought by Ford’s Investment in Motorsports

Motorsports has always played a big role in Ford’s history, and recent investments and expansions in the company’s efforts there ensure that it will continue to play a big part in the company’s future, as well. ?

That commitment was on full display recently as Ford’s five reigning motorsports championship drivers gathered at World Headquarters for a Q&A with more than 200 employees. This season, Ford Performance drivers won all three NASCAR series’ championships – the first time in the company’s long history of NASCAR participation – as well as two additional titles in off-roading and drift racing. Each of the championship-winning drivers was on hand for the celebration, which also included Ford Performance executives and other motorsports personnel.?

“We don’t go racing just to go racing,” he said. “We want to race to win, but we want to use it in a responsible way for the business to tell the story about our products and our employees, and to connect with our fans and customers. And every single one of our racing programs has a mission that we’re on a reason for doing it. They’re all a little bit different, but it’s important to the company that that we use it in the right way.”

What’s on the horizon

Looking ahead to the future of Ford Performance’s motorsports efforts, Rushbrook noted the additions of the company’s Formula 1 partnership with Red Bull Powertrains beginning in 2026, as well as a return to sports car racing, and a return to Le Mans, with the Mustang GT3. The Mustang Dark Horse R will also be premiering in the Mustang Challenge Spec Series. Also, Ford just announced it will be racing a Ford Ranger in the Dakar Rally next month .?

What’s on the horizon

Looking ahead to the future of Ford Performance’s motorsports efforts, Rushbrook noted the additions of the company’s Formula 1 partnership with Red Bull Powertrains beginning in 2026, as well as a return to sports car racing, and a return to Le Mans, with the Mustang GT3. The Mustang Dark Horse R will also be premiering in the Mustang Challenge Spec Series. Also, Ford just announced it will be racing a Ford Ranger in the Dakar Rally next month .?

Ford Performance General Manager Will Ford III is also looking ahead to the future expansion of Ford’s motorsports efforts.

“That is certainly a very important part of our heritage and our past,” he said. “But I can’t wait to see what comes out of Ford Performance in the future and how it influences some of the decisions we make as a company, and how we really grow the passion for our brand through excellence. On the track, on the dirt, know whatever surface we race on.”

Event host Marty Snider, of NBC Sports, moderated as each of the champion drivers, many of which were joined by their respective crew chiefs, took the stage. Former longtime Ford Director Edsel B. Ford II, known as “the Godfather of Ford Racing,” was also in attendance. The first 100 employees through the doors had the opportunity to meet the drivers and have their photo taken with them.

Employees win prizes

Three lucky employees at the event won unique experiences in a raffle. Ford Performance gave away a VIP NASCAR experience at next year’s race at Michigan International Speedway, as well as a spot in Ford Performance Driving School. Jeff Walters, who works in vehicle program management in Product Development, won a place in the Bronco Off-Roadeo.?

“I’m just thrilled. I never expected anything like this, so to have this opportunity is kind of like a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” said Walters, a huge racing fan. “Meeting the drivers was incredible. They’re just down-to-earth guys. Standing next to them – those trophies are amazing.”

Walters has previously taken his 2021 Bronco Sport off-roading in the Metro Detroit area and has been very impressed with its performance off the pavement.?

“We were just blown away by the capability of the Bronco Sport,” he said. “It’s smaller and people call it a ‘baby Bronco,’ but it’s not a baby in terms of its capability.”

Nicole Cook, another Ford Performance motorsports fan, said the championship celebration event was well organized and that she is excited for Ford’s upcoming participation in Formula 1.?

“I love these kinds of events,” said Cook, a customer service manager. “You hear about these things, so it’s great to actually be able to attend. It’s a great conversation starter, especially for me in CX, I can tell customers about the great things that I get to do at Ford.”?

The occasion also served as an introduction to Ford motorsports for some. Erin Stratos, a strategist in the experience design group, enjoyed learning about how the company is investing in racing and how it plays into Ford’s overall strategy.

“I don’t know a ton about racing, but it was really cool to learn, and it’s exciting to be a part of things and to see a different side of Ford,” she said.

How we got here

Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney gave Ford its second straight NASCAR Cup Series title . The championship is the 11th for Ford in NASCAR’s top series, repeating teammate Joey Logano’s championship in 2022.

Ben Rhodes and Cole Custer won their respective NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series titles in dramatic fashion. Rhodes’ championship, his second, came following four overtime restarts, while Custer took his first series championship in an overtime finish that saw him go from third to first in the span of just one lap.

Chelsea DeNofa won the Formula Drift drivers’ championship, while the RTR drift team secured the Auto Manufacturer Championship for Ford. The driver’s championship is Ford’s third in the series and the first since 2020. Soon after the win, DeNofa announced he will be leaving Formula Drift to pursue other projects.

Loren Healy won the Ultra4 USA National Champion in the Ford Bronco, Ford’s second consecutive championship in that class.?

Ford President and CEO Jim Farley spoke with the drivers during a breakfast meeting at WHQ.

Prior to the celebration at World Headquarters, the drivers visited Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant, home of the Ford Mustang, where they walked the assembly line and took photos with employees. They started the day with a breakfast visit with Ford President and CEO Jim Farley.

The Dark Horse is coming

There will be a new Mustang running in the Cup Series next season. Ford recently unveiled the?new Mustang Dark Horse-based car , which will run in the Cup Series in 2024. It will debut in February.