NASCAR’s new Mustang and unique Edsel
They go together like hand in glove, and earlier this week both were front-and-center as the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series Mustang was unveiled to the public at Roush Fenway Racing headquarters in Concord, NC.
Mustangs of all shapes, models, and colors lined the parking lot to serve as a backdrop for driver Colin Braun as he made a grand entrance and drove the quintessential muscle car up to the podium area where media and fans had gathered for the announcement.
And while Mustang definitely took the spotlight on this day, it was a living, breathing Ford of a human nature who was center stage as well.
Edsel B. Ford II has been a race fan most of his life and as the great grandson of company founder Henry Ford and son of Henry Ford II, he grew up with the auto industry engrained in his blood. As a current member of the Board of Directors at Ford Motor Co., Edsel remains engaged in these challenging economic times, but on this day it was about celebrating an iconic car that has been racing since it came off the assembly line in 1964 and nobody does that better than him.
He’s often been called the “godfather of the Ford Racing program,” a title that makes him smile. This, after all, is a man who calls people as diverse as Jackie Stewart and the Wood Brothers close friends, and who has passed on the love of racing he got from his father on to his own four sons.
After arriving about 90 minutes before the formal announcement, he took the time to stop and visit with each and every one of the 20 Mustang Club owners who had brought their personal vehicles to the event. All of them had a story about their particular model, and you could tell Edsel enjoyed hearing all of them.
He was like a rock star on this day, as passionate Ford enthusiasts couldn’t wait for their turn. I was standing in the lot watching him as he signed the dashboard of one car, and then made his way to the next.
“Where would you like me to sign,” he asked the owner. “Oh, anywhere would be fine, Mr. Ford,” was the reply. “No, sir. You paid for this car. I’ll sign wherever you want me to.” And with that, the owner requested Mr. Ford’s autograph smack dab in the middle of the passenger’s visor.
Just as I took a photo of that encounter, someone tapped me from behind on my shoulder. I turned around and a gentleman was standing there with his camera. “I’ve been wanting to get a picture with Mr. Ford for years,” he said. “Would you please take one for me?” He handed me his camera and I happily obliged.
That’s how it went as he walked from car to car and heard story after story.
When that was done he worked his way to the podium area and made remarks about how, “Mustang is the all-American car, and it only makes sense that it finally gets to race in America’s most popular form of motor sport.”
After the crowd cheered Mustang’s appearance and the formal portion of the program ended, media from around the Charlotte area surrounded Edsel like he was Peyton Manning getting ready to call a play in the huddle. They wanted to know his opinion on if he thought the NASCAR version of the Mustang was representative of the production model. Then they asked if he thought other manufacturers should follow Ford’s lead and insert their muscle cars into the Nationwide Series.
Edsel answered those questions quite frankly and by the end had all of the reporters laughing and smiling because of his engaging manner. Like the Mustang enthusiasts beforehand, he had charmed another group of people with his honesty and passion.
The day continued with Edsel taking time to meet with local politicians, and then taking 15 minutes to sit down with a local high school student working on a project about Henry Ford. The two of them discussed the historical impact of his great grandfather’s decision to use the notoriety gained from his one and only race win to start the Ford Motor Co. more than 100 years ago, as well as topics such as the moving assembly line, the formation of the middle class in America, and the importance of entrepreneurship among young people.
From there, it was off to the Roush Yates Engine facility, where Doug Yates asked if Edsel would address the workers and provide an update on where the industry stood as a whole. He eloquently told everyone how “a year ago I asked many of you to help us through these tough times and when it came time to buy a new car to please buy a Ford. I know many of you did that and I just want to thank you personally.”
He ended that speech sincerely thanking the Roush Yates workers … the men and women truly behind the scenes … and acknowledging how much their individual efforts contribute to how people perceive Ford and its racing program.
On that note, the day ended as it had started – with a round of applause for a Ford.
If you would like to see the entire press conference for the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series Mustang, please log on to www.fordracing.com and click on the headline “RFR Reveals ’10 NNS Mustang.”
For a chance to win a new 2010 Ford Taurus and a VIP trip to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Banquet in Las Vegas, please visit www.imdrivingone.com and register now.
If you would like an opportunity to win a trip for two to Ford Championship Weekend and a 2010 Ford Fusion, please go to www.weraceyouwin.com and register today.
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