Rare sighting: Wilk out in Round 1

NORWALK, Ohio, June 28, 2009 - Under most circumstances, Tim Wilkerson would put a first-round loss out of his mind and deep in the rearview as soon as it happened, preferring to look ahead and not backwards, but this was no normal first round. This time, as disappointing as the finish might be, Wilkerson was pleased and upbeat about how his Levi, Ray & Shoup Shelby reacted, how it posted its best run of the weekend, and how safely it made the lap, never in any danger of spinning the tires like it had all weekend. This time, he didn't mind looking back, with a nod and a smile.

Unfortunately, the 4.322 might have been Wilkerson's low e.t. for the event, but by virtue of qualifying 16th he had to face Mike Neff, the No. 1 qualifier, in the opening stanza. Neff's 4.250 was the quickest run of the round, and Wilkerson's 4.322 was not enough to trip the win lights.

Getting to that point on Sunday was a battle, in every sense. Wilkerson suffered through his first truly difficult qualifying weekend of the year, smoking the tires on three of the four runs while limping the fourth one to a pedestrian time of 4.482 to squeak into the field 16th. He knew, laying in bed awake on Saturday night, that he had to fix his hot rod, and he had to do it Sunday.

"We were suffering from the same sorts of problems everyone was dealing with, on a tricky track under tough conditions," Wilkerson said. "Basically, though, everyone else did pretty well on Friday night, and we just went A-to-B really soft, to make sure we got down the track. We weren't the only ones smoking the tires out there, though, so we had some company.

"I laid awake half the night thinking about it, and we had a pretty good plan this morning. The car did exactly what we asked it to do, and the run was so safe we probably left three or four hundredths on the table, but when you put yourself in that No. 16 hole, you probably need the other guys to mess up and they didn't. They kicked our butts, but we feel a lot better about our race car now than we did last night. Now we move on, and we can do that smiling and eager to get back at it."

Sunday threw its own share of curves at the entire Funny Car class, as it dawned overcast and cool. Teams did their warm-ups under those conditions, and made their tuning calls based on that favorable environment. As soon as pre-race festivities were over, however, a downpour roared into Summit Motorsports Park, drenching the fans and the race track, but when that storm quickly departed, the sun came out, the temperature went up, and steam began to rise from the massive asphalt pit area. It was, in effect, a whole new day.

"It really was like a totally new day," Wilkerson said. "We left the head gaskets the same, but we brought with us new blower pulleys, and we put different tires on the car. You just had to react on the fly, because once it quit raining and the sun came out, the track was dry in a hurry. There really wasn't time to mess around much, and maybe that was good. You give crew chiefs enough time, and sometimes they'll talk themselves into all sorts of goofy stuff."

As the fourth pair, Wilkerson and Neff saw what was out there. Even with the sun on the track, most pairs were making good laps, and high 4.20s seem to be the currency of the day for purchasing win lights. Wilkerson knew he had a shot, but not a great one.

"By that point, like I said, you're kind of hoping the other guys mess up, but if they don't you want to make a good solid lap. I told myself, all night long, that we were not going to smoke the tires. We didn't and it was real nice lap, actually the quickest lap by any loser in round one, but they beat us. We're okay though, I know that. I wasn't so sure about it last night, but I know we're okay now."

Next up, after a weekend off, the "Western Swing" will be upon us, starting with the Denver race on July 10-12. The countdown to the Countdown continues, with an optimistic Tim Wilkerson still very much in the mix.

Courtesy of Team Wilkerson

This Week in Ford Racing: NASCAR Edition

Loudon, N.H. — The last time the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series raced at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, a Ford ended up in victory lane as Greg Biffle started the 10-race Chase with his second win of the season.

Ford drivers Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte and Biffle talked about the flat one-mile oval and their hopes for Sunday’s race.

MATT KENSETH – NO. 17 DEWALT FORD FUSIONDO YOU FEEL YOUR TEAM IS MAKING PROGRESS?“At times. It’s not like a steady uphill graph where we’ve been doing a little bit better every week and we keep getting better and we’re almost there. We have about a four-week run where we were running pretty good and then we had a couple weeks where things didn’t go right.

"The Pocono race, we performed really well and our fuel mileage wasn’t good enough and the way we pitted at the end, we didn’t get a good finish. Then at Michigan we just ran pathetically terrible. We left a wheel loose and lost a lap, got that back, and then couldn’t make it to the end on fuel without running half-throttle and ran around half-throttle to make sure we made it on fuel.”

THERE ARE ONLY 10 RACES LEFT UNTIL THE CHASE. ARE YOU EYEING THAT AS A POINT WHERE YOU WANT TO GET ALL OF THESE ISSUES WORKED OUT AND THEN RUN FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP?“You want to win every week. You never try to say, ‘Oh man, we need to be great when we get here.’ You want to be great every week and bring your best stuff and run the best you can. Honestly, I don’t even know where we are in points, but I know we’re not in a position where we can start thinking about the Chase. I mean, if we don’t get running better and finishing better, we’re not even gonna make the Chase, so we’ve got to worry more about getting the best finish we can get each and every week and get as many points as we can each and every week.”

THOUGHTS ON LOUDON.“I don’t know what to expect from week to week lately, so I don’t know. Greg won the last race there, so that’s good, but since we started running these style of cars at Loudon the last few races, we as the 17 have not run very well there. I honestly don’t know what to expect. We’re gonna try some different stuff there we haven’t done before, and, hopefully, we’ll get there and be okay.”

GREG BIFFLE – NO. 16 3M FORD FUSIONYOU’VE VOICED SOME CONCERNS ABOUT FLAT TRACKS THIS YEAR. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT LOUDON?“I think we’re going to be good. I’m optimistic. We’re going back with the same setup, the same everything, just like we were and I’m pretty confident. I’m not going back there with a chip on my shoulder saying we’re going to win this thing, I’m going back saying we’re going to run in the top 10 and continue our good run and make the Chase. I’m going to use it as a tool to do that and think about coming back later on when we’re in the Chase hopefully and try to win that one.”

To read the rest of this interview visit: http://www.fordracing.com/news/detail/?article=36541

This Week in Ford Racing: Growing up Force

Dearborn, Mich. — John Force, driver of the Castrol Edge Ford Mustang Funny Car, is the most accomplished and decorated drag racer in the history of the sport. In honor of Father’s Day, his daughters Ashley, Brittany and Courtney Force talk about how it was growing up with a father in racing and what it’s like to race on their father’s team.

HOW WAS IT GROWING UP WITH A FATHER IN RACING?ASHLEY FORCE—driver of the Castrol GTX Ford Mustang Funny Car“It was all we ever knew, so we don’t know any differently, but it was very exciting to be a young kid whose dad is on TV, whose classmates and teachers follow racing and, it’s something that would always come up. It was fun for us. We would have barbeques on Sunday and have our friends over to swim and we would run out, Mom would call at us when it was time for Dad’s run and we would all run in our suits and stand outside the window. She wouldn’t let us inside because our suits were wet, but we would all stand outside the house and watch the race through the screen door. It was a lot of fun. We got to travel a lot, go to a lot of different places throughout the country and go to his races and it was fun.”

BRITTANY FORCE—driver of the Brand Source A-Fuel Dragster“It was really tough because he was gone a lot of the time and it was pretty much my mom that was always at home raising us. My dad always jokes that my mom would yell ‘Dad’s home,’ and we would all run to the TV to watch him on ESPN, ESPN2 and watch him on TV, but you know having him travel all the time was hard because he did miss some birthdays, or cheerleading competitions or whatever it was.

"Now that we’re grown up and we’re involved in racing, we really understand where he’s coming from and that he’s worked so hard and he’s worked from absolutely nothing all the way up to having this big empire that he has with all of these drivers and teams. We’re really proud of him and we know how hard he’s worked and it’s just kind of how life is and we got used to it so we wouldn’t know any different.”

COURTNEY FORCE—driver of the Brand Source A-Fuel Dragster“Well, it was a lot of fun but it was complicated at the same time. It was real hard not seeing him because I would be in school when I was little and he would always be at the race track. Actually when he would come home I would cry to him, ‘Please don’t go back to the races,’ and he would be like, ‘No, I have to. I’ve got to work, you know. You’ve got to go to school,’ and I would be like, ‘Please don’t go. I just want you to stay here.’

"I didn’t really understand much about it and then when I grew up I got involved with racing and loved being out at the race track and understood why he was gone every weekend, but when I was little I didn’t really know. I would always ask, ‘Why does he have to leave, why is he gone, he’s only home for a couple days a week?’ So it was hard but after a while after I learned about it, it was okay.”

To read the full interview please visit: http://www.fordracing.com/news/detail/?article=36517

This Week in Ford Racing: Alison MacLeod

Dearborn, Mich. — Alison MacLeod, driver of the East Enterprises No. 6 Ford Racing Technology/Beast Chassis, is the winningest female driver in the USAC history. She currently is second in the USAC Regional Midget series point standings and has won the last two events in which she has raced.

ALISON MACLEOD— DRIVER EAST ENTERPRISES NO. 6 FORD RACING TECHNOLOGY/BEAST CHASSIS BEASTCAN YOU GIVE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF YOUR SEASON SO FAR?“So far this year we’ve had five or six races and we’ve started off pretty well. We started with a fourth and then we ended up with a third, a second and then we got two wins, so we’re hoping to keep that at the winning point and hopefully go on from there. We’ve improved every race and it’s been a good season so far.”

YOU’RE ON A HOT STREAK. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO CONTINUE THAT HOT STREAK FOR THE SEASON?“It’s always tough when you constantly go to different tracks but you just have to nail everything, it takes a lot of luck. We’ve been pretty lucky the last few races to have a lot of things fallen right into our hands, and that’s what it’s going to take for anybody to win a race. For us to win the race we’ve just got to keep it up and get our qualifying, get the car handling well, get the engine running well and have a little bit of luck.”

YOU HAVE THE RACE THIS FRIDAY AT ANDERSON SPEEDWAY, AND SO FAR THIS SEASON YOU’VE FINISHED FOURTH AND SECOND AT THAT TRACK. WHAT’S THE KEY TO GETTING A WIN THERE THIS WEEKEND?“At Anderson it’s a tough track since it’s all momentum, so all the cars are really close together. It’s going to come down to qualifying, getting a little bit of luck with the inversion and just getting the handling down pat and getting it there. We were so close this last time, we just got hurt a little bit on the start and that’s what kept us from the win, but hopefully we’ll go back this time and have a little bit of better luck on the starts.”

To read more from Alison visit: http://www.fordracing.com/news/detail/?article=36512

This Week in Ford Racing: Colin Braun

Dearborn, Mich. — Colin Braun made his first appearance in the winner’s circle this weekend after 35 starts in NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series, giving Jack Roush his 50th win in the series.

This weekend also marked the launch of Braun’s new partnership with the teen safe driving program, Ford Driving Skills for Life.

COLIN BRAUN – NO. 6 CON-WAY FORD F-150HOW DID IT FEEL TO WIN ON SATURDAY?“Well, it was great. To get my first win in the series, and Jack Roush’s 50th win, and to continue the streak of Roush Fenway trucks winning at Michigan, I think it’s three straight races for Roush Fenway and Ford, was pretty special. Not to mention the fact that Con-way Freight, my sponsor, it was right in their backyard as well, so I really couldn’t ask for more than that. That was about the perfect story-book ending right there.”

WHAT WAS THE KEY TO WINNING ON SATURDAY?“For me, it was just having a fast truck. My guys at the shop worked really hard to give me just a super fast truck. It didn’t seem to matter where we started if we had a fast enough truck we could drive up to the front, we had great pit stops all day, got us some track position in the pits and it just shows how fast of a truck we had and how much power we had from our Roush Fenway chassis.”

YOU HAD A GREAT RACE IN TEXAS WHERE YOU FINISHED THIRD AND AN EVEN BETTER RACE FROM THIS WEEKEND. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PUT THOSE TWO RACES TOGETHER?“It’s important, I think. I think we’re starting to build up some momentum here going forward. I feel even though we didn’t have great finishes at Charlotte or Dover, we showed we were fast, we were running up to the front. We were leading both of those races when we had problems, so I feel like we’ve proven that in the last few races that we’ve got the performance and certainly have got the pit crew on pit road to be able to win these races, and hopefully we can keep that momentum going.”

YOU TALK ABOUT MOMENTUM. HOW IS THAT MOMENTUM FROM THIS WEEKEND GOING TO AFFECT THE RACE THIS WEEKEND IN MILWAUKEE?“We’re going to have a good truck in Milwaukee. We seemed to run there good last year, just, you know, we didn’t have a lot of experience at that track. I think that’s one of the more unique tracks we go to on the circuit, so I’m looking forward to having a year of experience under my belt having raced both the truck race and the Nationwide race there last year. I feel like, hopefully, I’ll have a little bit of a better understanding of what it’s going to be like to race there, what kind of a setup I’m going to need to have under my truck, what to do in practice to win the race.”

To read more from Colin visit: http://www.fordracing.com/news/detail/?article=36510

Colin Braun teams up with Ford Driving Skills for Life

Dearborn, Mich. — Colin Braun, 20-year old NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver has teamed up with Ford Driving Skills for Life to promote the importance of safe driving to teens around the country.

Braun, now in his second year driving the No. 6 Con-way Freight Ford F-150 for Roush Fenway Racing, knows the importance of safe driving on and off the track. As part of the yearlong partnership, Braun will participate in DSFL hands-on training events and various nationwide teen safe-driving initiatives.

“We are very proud to have Colin Braun join the Ford DSFL team,” said Jim Graham, Community Relations Manager of Ford Motor Company Fund. “His ability to relate to young drivers is invaluable. We are excited to have Colin Braun and Roush Fenway Racing support Ford Driving Skills for Life.”

Mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers. Through DSFL, teens are able to improve their skills in four key areas that are critical factors in more than 60 percent of teen vehicle crashes: Hazard Recognition, Vehicle Handling, Space Management, and Speed Management.

"I am pleased to be a part of the Ford Driving Skills For Life program. Having grown up racing all my life, I learned early on there is a time and place for driving fast, but public roads are not it.” said Braun.

To read the complete release visit: http://www.fordracing.com/news/detail/?article=36494

Ford Racing Notes and Quotes: Carl Edwards

Brooklyn, Mich. — Carl Edwards was a winner here at Michigan International Speedway last year and is still in search of his first victory in 2009. He addressed reporters at his hauler after Friday’s practice.

CARL EDWARDS – NO. 99 AFLAC FORD FUSIONHOW WAS YOUR CAR IN PRACTICE?“We spent a lot of time in race trim. Bob [Osborne, crew chief] said there’s a slight chance of rain tomorrow during practice, so we focused on race runs there and then went to qualifying trim. We only got two quick runs, but Greg [Biffle, teammate] was real fast so we’ll lean on him maybe for a setup for qualifying. This place is an easy place to pass if you’ve got a fast race car, so I think Bob is doing the right thing. It’s a little painful to watch that chart, though, but we’ll be alright.”

IS THIS THE PLACE TO GET BACK ON TRACK?“I felt like we were in pretty good shape at Dover. I felt like we ran really well at Pocono, exceptionally well. If we can run that well again here on Sunday, that’s what we need. Sonoma should be pretty good. We’ve run pretty well there the last few years. I kind of look at this stretch that it has the potential for us to gain a lot of points if I don’t screw something up or without bad luck. Last week, this week, next week, it should be good.”

CAN YOU PINPOINT A REASON WHY ROUSH HAS BEEN SO GOOD HERE?“It’s been great crew members. We run well here. The first Cup race I ever ran was here and I finished 10th and all of our cars finishing in the top 10 and I thought, ‘Boy, this is gonna be an easy career [laughter].’ The fact is we don’t run that well at all of them, but we do run well here and I don’t know why. We’ve got great engines. I think all of my teammates do a really good job with this style of race track. I don’t know if Jack [Roush, owner] does a little something extra because this is in his backyard.I don’t know if Ford is doing something extra, but we do run well here. I like it.”

To read the complete interview visit: http://www.fordracing.com/news/detail/?article=36487

Ford Racing Notes and Quotes: Greg Biffle

Brooklyn, Mich. — Greg Biffle is seventh in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings going into this weekend’s race. He came into the trackside conference room at Michigan International Speedway to talk about Sunday’s race.

GREG BIFFLE – NO. 16 3M FORD FUSIONHOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS TRACK?“You can ask me throughout the season what my favorite track is and it’s here this weekend—Michigan.

"I just really enjoy the racing here. You can run two-, three-wide with a downforce car with plenty of room to race, so I think it bodes well for fans that really see good side-by-side racing on a big race track.

"There’s a lot of strategy involved and kind of semi-technical type of race track. We normally always have green flag pit stops here, which I enjoy doing. I think the double-file restart is also gonna be a little more exciting when we get those caution flags, so I’m looking forward to this weekend.”

GM ANNOUNCED SOME CUTBACK IN NATIONWIDE. CAN YOU GIVE US SENSE FOR THE LEVEL OF CONCERN YOU HAVE FOR THE AUTO INDUSTRY?“Certainly we’re concerned about the auto manufacturers because even though Ford, thankfully, has positioned themselves in the right spot in the car market with great vehicles—I don’t want to sound like a salesman—but they’ve got really, really good cars, a great truck platform, and over the next couple of years they’ve got some really exciting small cars coming to this market. They’re gonna be the leader, I’m confident, in the car industry, so to take it a step further, GM and Chrysler or Dodge have probably made some mistakes along the way.

To read the full interview please visit: http://www.fordracing.com/news/detail/?article=36487

Ford Racing Qualifying Quotes

Brooklyn, Mich. — The eighth row of the Sunday’s scheduled LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway is all Ford.

Bill Elliott posted at 38.521-second fast lap to start 15th in field of 44 NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers. Matt Kenseth’s fast lap of 38.527 seconds starts him beside Elliott.

Brian Vickers won the pole with Kyle Busch completing the first row.

BILL ELLIOTT – NO. 21 MOTORCRAFT FORD FUSION (QUALIFIED 15TH)“It slid the nose down a little bit in [Turns] 3 and 4 and I wasn’t expecting that. Everything I had done in practice, the car has been just a little bit freer. When I got down in there I couldn’t believe it and I couldn’t get the throttle like I wanted to, but my hat’s off to these guys. They have done an awesome job.

“We went to the All-Star Race in Charlotte and were just so-so, and came back for the 600 and we really gained some stuff. We came out of there and did an Indy tire test and we feel like we gained some stuff there and it just keeps paying off week-in and week-out. We just need to keep expanding on what we’re doing, but this Ford Motorcraft bunch has done a great job.”

YOU’RE THE TOP QUALIFYING FORD AGAIN.“I’m very pleased with the progress. I think we have come a long way with what we’re doing, but, for us to unload and go from being one of the worst cars on the board to being a very respectable car on the board says a lot.”

HOW WAS THE CAR?"The car was pretty decent. The Ford Fusion and these guys did a great job. Motorcraft and everybody has helped us out on this deal for this year and believing in us to run a limited amount of races and it’s really paid off. I think David Hyder and all the guys working back at the shop have really improved this car 100 percent. From where we started the first of the year to the last two or three races, I think we’ve learned a lot.”

MATT KENSETH – NO. 17 CARHARTT/DEWALT FORD FUSION (QUALIFIED 16TH)“It was alright. We picked up a lot. We really kind of concentrated on race trim. We started practice and I was pretty happy with the car in race trim and we just missed it qualifying. We were just really slow. Even when we got our balance right we were just real slow, so we made a huge pickup from practice. We were just off. It was just kind of slow. The balance was pretty good, it just wouldn’t go any better.”

To read full interviews from the Ford Racing drivers visit: http://www.fordracing.com/news/detail/?article=36485

Ford Racing Notes and Quotes: Matt Kenseth

Brooklyn, Mich. — Matt Kenseth held his weekly Q&A session prior to practice on Friday, where he addressed this weekend’s race at Michigan International Speedway and his visit to Ford World Headquarters on Thursday with his fellow drivers.

MATT KENSETH – NO. 17 CARHARTT/DEWALT FORD FUSIONROUSH FENWAY HAS HAD GOOD SUCCESS HERE. WHY?“Yeah, we’ve been able to do pretty well here. I think it all started with Mark Martin. He gets around this track probably better than everybody. When I showed up at Roush he was winning here all the time and he’s been able to teach a lot of us maybe some tricks on how to get around here.”

IS IT MORE PERSONAL FOR JACK [ROUSH] TO COME HERE?“I don’t think it hurts. He’s only an hour or so from here and all of his businesses are here with Roush Industries, so I’m sure it probably means a little more to him than maybe some other tracks.”

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE COMFORT YOU HAVE BEING WITH FORD THESE DAYS?“I don’t know about comfortable, but I’m happy we’re driving Fords, obviously, but you always feel comfortable going to a track that you’ve had some success at, so we feel comfortable coming here, but anything can happen. But we feel good about being here.”

WHAT ABOUT AS A MANUFACTURER AND THE HEALTH OF THE COMPANY?“I’m not really an insider, but I’m thankful that Ford has been able to stand on their own and be able to run the business the way they want to run it and be able to do it, so far, without any government aid. Hopefully, that doesn’t end up being a disadvantage for them. They’re pretty strong and healthy. They’re making some great new products that we got to drive a bunch of them yesterday, so I’m excited about representing Ford and driving one.”

To read the full interview please visit: http://www.fordracing.com/news/detail/?article=36482

FORD RACING ANNOUNCES PLANS TO BUILD A 2010 VERSION OF THE MUSTANG COBRA JET

MILAN, Mich, June 12, 2009 – The 40th Anniversary 2008 Mustang Cobra Jet more than lived up to its billing, joining its historic predecessor - the original 1968 Cobra Jet in winning its inaugural race at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. Now Ford Racing is ready to update the latest Cobra Jet, and is announcing plans to build a 2010 version of the “CJ.” The announcement was officially made today at the National Mustang Racing Association (NMRA) event in Milan.

A little over a year ago, Ford Racing announced plans to build a modern edition of the Cobra Jet. The limited run of 50 cars sold out in less than two weeks, even before the first car was built. Once again Ford Racing will produce a limited run of 50 2010 Mustang CJs, the minimum number that must be produced in order to receive clearance from NHRA for competition.

Exact specifications are being finalized, but the initial plan is for the 2010 Cobra Jet to have a 425-hp 5.4-liter supercharged engine from the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog, but with an option to upgrade to an estimated 475-hp aluminum block engine. Likewise the 6-speed manual transmission that was available in the ’08 Cobra Jet will be standard, but an option to upgrade to 5-speed Liberty manual transmission or a race prepped automatic transmission will be available. Other 2010 Mustang Cobra Jet upgrades include an 8.50et NHRA certified roll cage and lightweight racing brakes.

“I’ve said from my first day in this job that I wanted Ford Racing to continue to be a ‘racer-friendly’ organization,” said Brian Wolfe, director, North American Motorsports. “That’s why we take great pride in being one of only two car companies worldwide that builds ready-to-race cars and sells them as part of our performance parts offerings.”

Component testing is underway and base pricing will be under $75,000. Production is expected to begin during the fourth quarter with delivery expected in early 2010.

Sportsmen racers interested in placing a pre-order for the 2010 Cobra Jet can contact their local Ford Dealership.

For the latest on the Cobra Jet and on all Ford Racing Performance Parts visit http://www.fordracing.com/ and http://www.fordracingparts.com/.

About Ford Racing Technology
Ford Racing Technology, based in Dearborn, Mich., is responsible for major racing operations in North America, including NASCAR, Grand American sports car racing, NHRA drag racing, USAC midget car racing and the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup. Ford Racing also oversees the development and marketing of Ford Racing Engines and Performance Parts, the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts, and the marketing of the Ford Racing brand through initiatives such as Team Ford Racing. For more information regarding Ford Racing’s activities, please visit www.fordracing.com.

FORD RACING INTRODUCES NEW PERFORMANCE 351 BLOCK

-Ford introduces all-new Boss 351 high-performance engine block for Ford enthusiast cars, including hot rods, street rods, race cars, and vintage Mustangs.

-Race ready and affordably priced, starting at $1999

DEARBORN, Mich., June 12, 2009 – Ford Racing follows the Boss 302 block released in 2006, with the new Boss 351 featuring performance and packaging that will accommodate displacements from 351 to over 460 cubic inches.

“Whether they’re racing in a sealed-engine class, building an all-out drag racing engine, or looking for a street performer, the Boss 351 block meets the needs of all Ford 351 enthusiasts, at a price comparable with a performance-prepped stock block,” Wolfe added.

The Boss 351 block is based on Windsor 351 architecture with a Cleveland sized 2.75" main bearing journal. Available in two deck heights, 9.2-inch and 9.5-inch, the Boss 351 is designed for performance with 4-bolt main caps, and screw-in freeze plugs. Technological improvements such as splayed main bolts, siamese bores with engineered coolant cross-drilling, front cross-over lifter oiling, and diesel-grade iron with 41,000 psi tensile strength separate the new Boss 351 from both stock and aftermarket blocks.

Max stroke is up to 4.25" depending on crankshaft manufacturer with max bore size topping out at 4.125" with coolant cross drilling. A non cross-drilled block with increased bore capacity will be available by 3rd quarter.

The new Boss 351 is built from all new tooling and incorporates technical developments compiled by Ford Racing engineers and racers. This new block is expected to see wide use in circle-track racing, from NASCAR Late Models to Dirt Modifieds and Late Models.

“Enthusiasts are making big power, 600, even 700 hp, the Boss 351 meets their demand for a reliable, high power foundation.” says Wolfe. “Race-specific blocks offer the strength required, but cool poorly for street use and are very expensive for the average enthusiast. The new Boss 351 block features greater strength than most race blocks, a street-capable cooling design, and affordable pricing due to high-volume production. High-volume production also leads to the improved quality and durability you would expect from any Ford block.”

Affordably priced to get enthusiasts’ hearts pumping, suggested retail price for the Boss 351 block is $1,999. A Boss 351-based crate engine with 427cid is expected to be available by the fourth quarter of 2009. For more information on these engines and other Ford Racing Performance Parts, visit: http://www.fordracingparts.com/.

About Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 205,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit http://www.ford.com/.

This Week in Ford Racing: Bob Tasca III

Englishtown, N.J. — Bob Tasca III returns to the track of his first alcohol Top Funny Car win, Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.

The New England track is a four hour drive from Tasca’s home and Ford dealership in Cranston, R.I. Tasca talks about racing at his home track and his sophomore season in as a Funny Car driver in NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing.

BOB TASCA III – MOTORCRAFT/QUICK LANE SHELBY MUSTANGWHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO RACE IN ENGLISHTOWN?“The history at Englishtown is almost unparalleled. It’s my home track. There are so many fans from Rhode Island and neighboring areas that come down and watch us race.

"It’s pretty historic for me only because it’s a track that my grandfather performed very well at and had countless match races over the years. There are magic moments in everyone’s life and for me, one of the greatest magic moments was Englishtown when I won that first national event in my alcohol funny car and my entire family was there. I really think it played a big role in me getting my top fuel sponsorship with Motorcraft and Quick Lane. The Ford executives were there, they saw the crowds, the passion and then they saw us win. It’s a place where if we raced 24 times there, it wouldn’t bother me a bit. I’m looking to get a win in the top fuel car in front of the home crowd and the Motorcraft Racing Experience will be there. In case you didn’t know, I’m real excited about Englishtown.”

HOW DOES THIS YEAR COMPARE TO YOUR FIRST YEAR IN THE NITRO FUNNY CAR?“I’m real glad that this isn’t my freshman season. I look back and say, ‘Yeah, that was a great time but I would never want to learn how to drive a funny car again.’ I’m far from an expert because there is so much that you have to take in and prepare yourself for in that first year and it’s a challenging time. I still have a lot to learn and I wouldn’t consider myself a professional, but there an increased confidence level in knowing the unknown. Last year, I didn’t know the unknown. You hit the gas and you hope that you’ll react. This year, I have confidence in my ability as a driver. Our team has proven that we can win, so a lot of that stuff is behind us. In my sophomore season, I’m more eager and I look forward to driving the car more than I ever have because you really start the process and learn more. It’s almost like a sponge. The first 50 runs in the car, I don’t even remember the finish line. That’s how overwhelming it is.

To read the full interview please visit: http://www.fordracing.com/news/detail/?article=36472

This Week in Ford Racing: David Ragan

Brooklyn, Mich. — David Ragan will be one of the many NASCAR and NHRA Ford Racing drivers who will visit Ford Motor Company’s World Headquarters on Thursday before racing this weekend in the manufacturer’s backyard at Michigan International Speedway.

Two Ford teams, Wood Brothers Racing and Roush Fenway Racing, are 1-2 in all-time victories at MIS with 11 and 10, respectively. Ragan, after finishing in 13th place and just missing the Chase in 2008, has struggled so far in 2009. However, in April, he won a Nationwide race at Talladega for his first-ever NASCAR victory.

DAVID RAGAN – NO. 6 FORD FUSIONWHEN YOU FIRST STARTED RACING IN THIS SERIES, DID YOU HAVE A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE TO THE MICHIGAN RACE AS FAR AS THE MANUFACTURERS ARE CONCERNED?“Not as a real young kid. I looked at Daytona and Charlotte, even Atlanta—those were the big races from where I was watching. But as I got older and learned more about what the manufacturers, their role in the sport, and certainly our team owner, Jack Roush, his business, his life, his whole career has been based around Ford and Roush Industries and now Roush Fenway Racing. That’s one of our Daytona 500s, going to Michigan, and Jack has been very successful there. So, as a Ford driver and as a Roush Fenway driver, it’s always a lot of fun to go to Michigan, because we know we’re going to be fast, we know that we’re going to be competitive, and then also we’re in Jack’s backyard, so we get a chance to meet a lot of neat people.”

IT PROBABLY DIDN’T TAKE BUT ONE RACE AT MICHIGAN TO REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.“The first time that you realize how important everything is, is the first time that you go down to Livonia [Michigan] and see his spread there on Market Street. I think he’s got about every building on Market Street. Then you go to his museum, his old race shop, and you see the amount of people that come out for the autograph session on Thursday evening, and it’s the first time that you realize that, ‘Hey, this is really big deal. This isn’t just Jack’s got a little office here or something, he’s got a lot of stuff going on.’ We go to Ford Headquarters. I’m a history buff; I love going to the Henry Ford Museum, so a lot of those things associated with the Michigan race weekend make it a fun weekend.”

YOU’LL VISIT FORD WORLD HEADQUARTERS PRIOR TO THE WEEKEND’S RACE. WITH WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THE ECONOMY, DOES THIS TRIP TAKE ON ADDED SIGNIFICANCE NOW?“Oh, yeah. Absolutely. I think we’re all interested in seeing what the attitude is like at Ford and what everyone is saying. From the outside looking in, Ford’s the strongest auto manufacturer, in my eyes right now, they’ve got a lot of good cars and lot of smart people making some good decision, so we’re all looking forward to going, to learn and get a little insight on what’s going on, but also to see some of the new products coming out. And, it’s really fortunate that Ford has still asked us to come up, and they’ve probably got a lot more business-type stuff going on, but it’s good to have a day to spend with the NASCAR guys that are Ford related, and get to see what they’re experiencing every day.”

To read the full interview please visit: http://www.fordracing.com/news/detail/?article=36469

This Week in Ford Racing: Eddie Wood

Speedway, Ind. — Wood Brothers Racing is one of the teams participating in the Goodyear tire test at Indianapolis this week. Bill Elliott is driving the No. 21 Motorcraft Ford Fusion at the test.

Team co-owner Eddie Wood talked to Ford Racing during a break in the session to talk about the test and the upcoming visit this weekend to his first-ever NHRA drag race. Len Wood also will be going to the Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Ill.

EDDIE WOOD – CO-OWNER, NO. 21 MOTORCRAFT FORD FUSION“The testing is going really well. We’re up here as one of the cars to help put rubber down on the track. You know, they give you tires and you’re able to work on your car in-between runs, and that’s what we’re doing—which is really good for us. We’ve been able to try a lot of stuff.

"The other group is actually testing tires, testing different compounds and all that. I’m not sure what compound we’re on, but whatever it is, it’s a pretty good tire. We’ve made some 10-lap runs, like three of them, and the tires look really good. We put 30 or 35 laps on a set yesterday, and they were fine. I think Goodyear has done a good job in getting ready for this race. I think it’ll be okay when we come back. The track has got a lot of rubber on it from the [Indianapolis] 500, plus from what’s going on here. I think if it doesn’t rain a lot, like it did last summer, they should be okay.”

THIS WEEKEND YOU WILL BE AT ROUTE 66 RACEWAY AS A GUEST OF MOTORCRAFT/QUICK LANE NHRA DRIVER BOB TASCA III.“I’m going to Chicago. It’ll be my first drag race.”

HAVE YOU MET BOB TASCA III FACE-TO-FACE YET?“No. We’ve talked on the phone before, but I haven’t met him face-to-face, so I’m looking forward to that, and I’m looking forward to hanging out with him. I understand he’s got a really cool display he does with all the Motorcraft and Quick Lane stuff, and I’m anxious to see that.

"I think we’ll be over there Friday night, and, of course, we’re going to go every day. I haven’t seen a schedule, so I don’t know a lot about it; I’m just going to watch Tasca. That’s all I can tell you.”

To read the full interview please visit: http://www.fordracing.com/news/detail/?article=36443

This Week in Ford Racing:Pocono Preview

Pocono, Pa. — The month of June kicks off with the first of two visits to Pocono Raceway and a few Ford drivers talked about what they like about the triangular-shaped race track and whether or not the length of the race should be shortened.

Bobby Labonte (3) and Carl Edwards (2) have won multiple times there while Jamie McMurray and Paul Menard are still looking for their first.

CARL EDWARDS – NO. 99 AFLAC FORD FUSION
YOU’VE HAD GOOD SUCCESS AT POCONO, SO YOU MUST LIKE GOING THERE.
“I love Pocono. The first time we went to Pocono we won and it was a blast. I think the last time we were there we won and I love racing there. It’s fun and it’s a neat race track. I like different things. I like the bumps it has and its irregular shape, and being where it’s at, I think it’s a cool part of the country, so I like it.”

IS THAT RACE TOO LONG?
“No, people always talk about that. Hey, if I bought a ticket, I want the race to be 1,000 miles long. I don’t care if someone casually watching on TV thinks the race is too long. It’s for the fans that come to the race. They want to see a 500-mile race. I think there’s something about that number—500 miles—that I think is cool. I think it means something when you race that far, and the history of it, too. I don’t think you should change it.”

YOU START TRAVELING FOR BOTH RACES NOW—POCONO AND NASHVILLE NEXT WEEK. DOES THAT GET ANY EASIER GOING BACK AND FORTH?
“Those are actually not that difficult because I don’t have to practice as much, so I end up being able to focus. Rides in airplanes are not grueling, so I like it.”

IS THE NASHVILLE TROPHY THE COOLEST?
“Yeah, that Nashville guitar is about as cool as it gets right there. I mean, a trophy you can make music with is pretty cool.”

BOBBY LABONTE – NO. 96 ASK.COM FORD FUSION
YOU’VE BEEN GOING TO POCONO FOR YEARS. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT TRACK AND THE LENGTH OF THAT RACE?
“Pocono is a neat race track to go to, but 500 miles is a long ways there. I think 500 kilometers would sound better, probably. If they’d just change the letter a the end it would be better for us, but it’s a neat track to race on because you’ve got so many different aspects to the corner in the three corners that you have that you can have a different challenge in every corner. It’s fun from that standpoint, but when you get 100 laps done and still have 100 more to go, it just can be dreadful at times. But as far as fun, on a scale of 1-10, it’s about an 8.5 or 9, but as far as length it’s about a 2—too long.”

To read more from Bobby, Jamie and Paul please visit: http://www.fordracing.com/news/detail/?article=36444