FORD GT WINS EYESON DESIGN PRIZE FOR BEST PRODUCTION VEHICLE AT 2015 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

• All-new Ford GT – propelled by most powerful EcoBoost® production engine ever making 600-plus horsepower – wins coveted EyesOn Design Award for best production vehicle
• GT supercar represents Ford’s commitment to innovation through performance; advanced, lightweight composites will serve company’s entire future product lineup
• EyesOn Design winners selected by current and former design chiefs at major automakers and top design schools

The all-new Ford GT

January 14, 2015 – The all-new Ford GT – a technology showcase for top EcoBoost® performance, aerodynamics and lightweight carbon fiber construction – today earned the prestigious EyesOn Design Award for best production vehicle.

The ultra-high-performance supercar was unveiled Monday at the 2015 North American International Auto Show.

EyesOn Design, the official design awards for NAIAS, honors the best production and concept vehicles making global debuts in Detroit. Judges include current and former design leaders from global automakers and transportation departments at top art schools.

“Ford and its employees are honored to receive this recognition,” said Moray Callum, Ford Motor Company vice president, Design. “The great thing about the all-new Ford GT is that we were able to maintain the essence of the original GT40, while making it into a 21st century car. The GT’s cutting-edge technology and engineering demonstrate Ford’s commitment to performance and innovation in every aspect of our business.”

The all-new supercar represents the company’s commitment to innovation through performance. Its advanced, lightweight composites will help serve Ford Motor Company’s entire product lineup moving forward.

A next-generation, 600-plus-horsepower twin-turbocharged EcoBoost® V6 engine demonstrates remarkable efficiency – a key attribute of its endurance racing-derived powertrain. The engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle that provides for near-instantaneous gear changes and exceptional driver control.

Aerodynamic efficiency is at the heart of the design of the Ford GT, with every slope and shape designed to minimize drag. An active rear spoiler is keyed to both speed and driver input, deploying and adjusting its height and/or pitch angle depending on conditions.

Beginning production in 2016, Ford GT arrives in select global markets to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ford GT race cars placing 1-2-3 at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.

 

 

MATT KENSETH AND CARL EDWARDS EYE MIAMI

November 08, 2014 – Under the radar, yet looming just one point behind Jeff Gordon for the final spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship Round race at Homestead are Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards.

The two drivers have yet to win a Chase race, but have survived up to this point by avoiding disastrous finishes and posting timely strong showings. Edwards may have saved his championship hopes last week at Texas when he rallied from 30th to ninth over the last 81 laps. Kenseth’s defining moment in NASCAR’s playoffs so far was his decision to draft off rival Brad Keselowski to a second-place finish at Talladega, a move that clinched him a spot in the Eliminator Round.

Kenseth and Edwards head to Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday for the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 (3 p.m. ET on ESPN) where each has had varying success. Kenseth owns a win at the one-mile tri-oval, but has only claimed one top-10 finish since the track was repaved for the 2011 fall race. On the other hand, Edwards claims a win and a runner-up finish in the six races since the track was repaved.

Both drivers should be considered serious championship contenders if they get to Homestead. Edwards has two victories and boasts an average finish of 6.6 at the Miami course, while Kenseth finished runner-up there last year and won its race in 2007.

 

FOR SOME OF NASCAR’S BIG NAMES, TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY ALREADY PRODUCING A PRESSURE-AND STRESS-FILLED WEEK

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Anything Short of a Win Won’t Advance Many of Pre-Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Favorites

TALLADEGA, AL – October 15, 2014 – Since NASCAR announced its revamped Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup nine months ago, the one race that fans marked on their calendar with the highest of anticipation was Talladega Superspeedway’s GEICO 500. Well, the wait is over – it’s race week at NASCAR’s Most Competitive and unpredictable track, and the emotional drama that awaits is an open-ended script that no one knows the ending.

With the GEICO 500, set for Sunday at 1 pm CT, being the final race of the Contender Round of the Chase in which four of the 12 drivers will be eliminated for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) title, there’s plenty of storylines. The top headline, however, is that four of the favorites for the title are at the bottom of the standings, and possibly the only way for any of the quartet to move on to the next round will be by a victory in the GEICO 500 – which is an automatic birth into the Eliminator Round of eight.

To say there is a tremendous sense of urgency and pressure in the Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Brad Keselowski camps, along with that of Matt Kenseth, is an understatement. Between the foursome, they have 10 triumphs at Talladega, and will need one more trophy on the mantle to guarantee their chance for a Sprint Cup Championship. What makes it even more interesting is that these drivers are not the only ones who are in danger of not making it. In fact, only two drivers are safe – Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick, who both have wins in the Contender Round. That leaves 10 desperate drivers needing a solid finish – some of whom are in more trouble than others and will demand nothing short of a triumph. One of those is Earnhardt, Jr.

Jimmie Johnson

“Go out there and win it,” says Earnhardt, Jr., on the GEICO 500, who, along with Johnson, trails eighth-place Kasey Kahne by 26 points. “We have won there a lot of times. I know what we need to do. We will just have to build a fast car and hope that we don’t have any gremlins and try to go out there and win it,” added the five-time Talladega winner.

Johnson meanwhile, is in the same exact position as his teammate. A record-tying seventh NSCS title could be out of reach unless he and his team can figure out the right TSS strategy.

“You just can’t predict what’s going to happen at Talladega,” admits Johnson, a two-time Talladega Superspeedway (TSS) winner. “It’s risk versus reward. If you don’t have much to lose, you can try to race all day long and try to stay at the head of the pack and out of trouble. I always knew Talladega was out there. It has always been lurking. It’s just hiding out there waiting for us.”

Keselowski, who had on-track run-ins with Kenseth, Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart, as well as scuffle with Kenseth afterwards in the garage area, this past weekend at Charlotte, is 19 points out of the automatic transfer spot. Kenseth is on the borderline, too, trailing Kahne by a single point. Keselowski says “it’s going to be a sight to be seen and a spectacle.”

Perhaps Harvick says it best. After his Charlotte win Saturday night, he joked about watching the race differently from his normal view behind the wheel. “I’d park it (his race car) because it’ll be one heck of a race to watch. That’s what I’d do. I’m parking it and watching it.  It’s going to be fun to watch.  It’s going to be crazy, offensive racing.”

While Harvick won’t be able to watch the race from a grandstand seat, fans can. Who will make the Chase and who won’t? Find out this weekend. Get your tickets today for both the GEICO 500 as well as the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. For more information, call 1-877-Go2-DEGA or visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.

Below is information to assist you in your coverage – the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup driver standings, along with pertinent information on each driver as it relates to their past performances at Talladega Superspeedway.

 

NASCAR PENALIZES DRIVERS BRAD KESELOWSKI AND TONY STEWART

Brad Keselowski

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Oct. 15, 2014 — NASCAR has assessed behavioral penalties to drivers Brad Keselowski and Tony Stewart for their involvement in post-race incidents on Oct. 11 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Keselowski has been fined $50,000 and placed on NASCAR probation for the next four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship events through Nov. 12 for violating:

Section 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing

Section 12-4.9: Behavioral penalty – involved in post-race incidents

Stewart has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation for the next four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship events through Nov. 12 for violating:

Section 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing

Section 12-4.9: Behavioral penalty – involved in a post-race incident

“These penalties are about maintaining a safe environment following the race,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR senior vice president, competition and racing development. “We knew that the new Chase format was likely going to raise the intensity level and we want our drivers to continue to be themselves. However, the safety of our drivers, crew members, officials, and workers is paramount and we will react when that safety could be compromised.”

 

FORD MUSTANG TEAMS GEAR UP FOR FINAL FIGHT OF 2014 FORMULA DRIFT SEASON AT IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY

• Ford Mustang driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. battling for podium finish in Formula DRIFT series
• Along with former champion Gittin Jr., past winner and Mustang driver Justin Pawlak also competing
• Ford will announce Drift with Ford sweepstakes winner of custom EcoBoost®-powered Fiesta ST after final 2014 Formula DRIFT event

Long Beach, Calif. September 24, 2014 – With only one race left in the 2014 Formula DRIFT season, Ford Motor Company heads to Irwindale Speedway in California looking to finish strong in the season finale there. Vaughn Gittin Jr., in third place, and Justin Pawlak, in seventh, will compete in customized Ford Mustangs Oct. 10-11, in the final fight of the seven-event series.

“Im really pumped to be heading into the final fight of 2014 at Irwindale Speedway, said Gittin Jr. While we are no longer battling for the championship, we plan to hold our ground and take third overall in the series.

This is something Im really excited about, given the challenges we had to overcome this season, he added. The progression of drifting never ceases to amaze me, and this year has been insane with regard to the level of competition. Our Ford Mustang RTR has been fully up to the task and continues to be a performance bar-setting machine, round after round. We are looking forward to fighting hard and ending the season on the top step.

Ford has supported drivers in Formula DRIFT since 2005, when the sport triggered a successful Ford Racing Performance Parts engine development program for a supercharged 4.6-liter V8 crate engine.

This has been a thrilling season for Ford in Formula DRIFT, said Mickey Matus, Ford Racing marketing communications manager. Vaughn and Justin consistently had Ford in the hunt for the manufacturers cup and drivers championship. Were confident they will continue to show that Ford and Mustang are serious competitors, not only in the world of Formula DRIFT, but in all form of motorsports.

Amidst the excitement of North Americas foremost professional drifting championship, Ford continues to give fans the opportunity to enter to win an EcoBoost®-powered Fiesta ST. The sweepstakes winner will receive personal drift lessons from Gittin Jr., a trip to Fords ST Octane Academy, and a visit to Hoonigan Racing headquarters. The last day to enter the contest online is Oct. 13 at 11:59 a.m. EDT. Anyone can enter at www.formuladrift.com while watching the hot action over the final weekend.

Fiesta ST featuring the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is a huge hit, especially among Formula DRIFT fans, said Steve Ling, Ford car marketing manager. We collaborated with Formula DRIFT to create an innovative way to give one to a lucky fan. We added lowering springs, an exhaust from Ford Racing Performance Parts, Rotiform 18-inch VCE wheels, Nitto NT555 ultra-high-performance tires and a K&N intake system to make this a true, one-of-one car. We had this hot new Fiesta ST at the season opener in Long Beach and will have it at the upcoming finale in California.

The first official drifting series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme attracting enthusiasts from all walks of life. Highly skilled drivers maneuver high-powered cars into controlled slides at high speeds through a marked course. Judged on speed, execution and style rather than fastest time, drifting is a crowd pleaser thats often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross.

The 2014 Formula DRIFT season will continue with Round 7: Final Fight at Irwindale Speedway on October 10-11. For more information visit: www.formuladrift.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift and Twitter @FormulaDrift.

 

FUSION AND MUSTANG SWEEP NASCAR POLES WITH BRAD KESELOWSKI AT KENTUCKY MOTOR SPEEDWAY / Q & A

Joey Logano

June 28, 2014 – JOEY LOGANO – No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Fusion – PRESS CONFERENCE

“It’s gonna take quite a bit, that’s for sure.  It’s such a tricky track and the way you get over the bumps and the way you hit the bumps, if you miss you line by a foot, you hit the bump the wrong way and the next thing you know you’re car is pointed the wrong direction, you’re loose or you’re tight.  You may think you’ve got the thing pointed and you’re good to go off the corner and you hit a bump and the next thing you know you’re pointed the wrong way.  I think it’s fun.  My first few laps out here today in practice I was like, ‘This place is a lot of fun.’  We’re sliding around all over the place and working hard inside the race car, so that’s a lot of fun for us drivers.  It’s a definite big challenge for the team.  Is it raining now?  It figures it would rain now.  We won the first two sessions and I’m like, ‘Man, isn’t it gonna rain?’  And, of course, it doesn’t rain and we come in second.  But we’ve got a good Shell/Pennzoil Ford.  Obviously, Team Penske we’ve qualified well and made the final session at every race track besides Talladega, so we’re still proud that we’ve been able to do that at a lot of different types of race tracks.  We’ve been close to getting a pole, but obviously we got one of them but we keep winning the wrong sessions.  I kind of wish it was one session like it used to be because I would be in better shape right now.”

IS IT GETTING TO BE OLD HAT FOR YOU GUYS IN QUALIFYING?

“It’s really hard.  It’s not easy, but the guys have been building us fast race cars.  Our qualifying setups have obviously been pretty fast and I think we’ve been just as good in the race.  We’ve run up front at a lot of different race tracks and I feel like recently we got off the path a little bit of what we’ve been doing.  We’re trying to get better and trying to learn things for the Chase.  I didn’t feel like it was the right direction and I feel like Todd was feeling the same way and we’ve come back to kind of what we’ve been doing since Kansas.  We kind of came back there and we’ve had some speed here in practice and felt like we were a top five car in practice and I feel like we’ll be better than that in the race, and then obviously in qualifying we weren’t dominant in qualifying practice, but in qualifying here today we had a good car.  Brad found some magic there the last run and found a couple tenths on me, but that was a really good lap we ran for sure.”

ARE YOU SURPRISED 17 QUALIYFING SESSIONS IN THAT MORE PEOPLE HAVEN’T GOTTEN BETTER?  IT SEEMS THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN GOOD ARE STILL GOOD AND THE ONES STRUGGLING ARE STILL STRUGGLING.

Aric Almirola

“Obviously everyone’s cars are getting better and I think everyone is getting closer and the field is getting closer. I feel like we’ve just done a good job when it comes to strategy that goes into qualifying and what we’ve got to do and then our adjustments throughout qualifying.  I feel like we’ve done a good job there and I feel like the 2 car gets faster every single session and they do that consistently.  For the 22 car we’re faster to get going and then we don’t pick up as much and we always feel like we can get better as a team.  We lean on each other a lot and when your teammate is doing a really good job qualifying and racing, it’s easier to lean on him and see what they’re doing and learn from each other.”

“I wouldn’t say we’re destroying them, I think a lot of it is in the cars to be honest with you.  I feel like our cars have just been fast.  Like I said, we keep trying different things and getting faster and doing different things.  Like I said, the field is getting closer, but I do feel like in qualifying we’ve done good and I feel like at this race track with the bumps is just kind of where we need to be with it.”

ARIC ALMIROLA – No. 43 Eckrich Ford Fusion

“We haven’t had the speed we need.  We can change the balance of the car – loose and tight – we just can’t go any faster.  We’re frustrated, but it’s not from a lack of effort.  All the guys on this Eckrich team will continue to work hard and we’ll try and get our Ford Fusion faster for tomorrow night.”

BRAD KESELOWSKI – No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion – PRESS CONFERENCE –

Brad Keselowski

“We’re right where we want to be, starting first is a great start but it’s just that it’s just a start.  You still have to execute a race and by no means a guarantee of a win, so we’ll want to go out there and earn that Saturday and even tonight.  But we’re right where we want to be in that sense, so we’ll keep pushing forward and I’m just taking a second to reflect on the efforts of our team and how proud I am of that and without them we couldn’t be here.  So I think it’s good.  I’m really, really pleased and very, very excited for both races tonight and tomorrow.”

DO YOU PINCH YOURSELF WHEN IT COMES TO QUALIFYING WITH HOW DOMINANT YOU’VE BEEN?

“The last few years we’ve been awful in qualifying, so it’s the ying-yang, it’s bouncing back out and I’m proud of that.  I’m really happy with the relationship Paul and I have.  Qualifying well certainly boosts that, which is so important as you go throughout the season.  It’s a huge morale booster for us and we’ve just got to make it count on race day.  Qualifying is great, but at the end of the week or the start of the next week on Monday nobody talks about who qualified on the pole, they talk about who won the race so we want to be that guy and that’s the most important thing.  In the meantime, we’re gonna enjoy the qualifying effort.”

DID YOU HAVE ANY ANTICIPATION OF HOW FAST YOU COULD RUN IN THE FINAL SEGMENT?

“I thought we were all gonna be a lot slower, so I was a little bit surprised by the speeds that we ran, but like I said Paul did a good job working on and adjusting the car and getting it to where I wanted it and they hit what I wanted.”

Ford Qualifying Results:

1st – Brad Keselowski
2nd – Joey Logano
21st – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
22nd – Aric Almirola
23rd – Carl Edwards
24th – Greg Biffle
27th – Marcos Ambrose
36th – David Ragan
41st – David Gilliland

 

 

FORD SYNC 911 ASSIST ENHANCEMENTS TO DEBUT ON 2015 FORD MUSTANG

• 911 Assist™ is a subscription-free emergency feature included in more than 7 million Ford vehicles equipped with SYNC® technology; with the customer’s consent, it helps connect vehicle occupants directly to a local 911 operator following an airbag deployment or if the fuel supply shuts off
• Enhancements to 911 Assist, debuting on the 2015 Ford Mustang, will provide dispatchers with additional information beyond available GPS coordinates, including a crash description and safety belt usage
• When introduced in 2008, 911 Assist was the industry’s first automotive technology to call 911 directly following a crash instead of relaying calls through a third party, saving valuable time

New Ford SYNC® 911 Assist™ features debuting on the 2015 Ford Mustang will offer emergency dispatchers

June 27, 2014 – New Ford SYNC® 911 Assist™ features debuting on the 2015 Ford Mustang will offer emergency dispatchers more potentially vital information to better inform first responders en route to an accident.

“911 Assist uses a mobile phone connected to SYNC to call 911 directly when needed,” said David Hatton, global product leader and electrical engineer, Ford Connected Services. “With enhanced data, the system will provide even more detail about a crash to aid in the dispatch of the appropriate resources.”

For example, if a dispatcher knows that both front safety belts were fastened at the time of a high-speed collision, he or she may decide to send an additional ambulance directly to the scene. Safety belt monitoring varies based on the airbag systems in the vehicle.

911 Assist requires customer consent to enable the feature when initially pairing a cellphone to SYNC, and the customer has the option to cancel the call before it is placed. In the event of an airbag deployment or fuel shutoff, a direct 911 call is placed using an occupant’s SYNC-connected phone. The operator then receives a brief, prerecorded message that a Ford vehicle has been in a crash and has the option to retrieve vehicle GPS information.

The enhancements will provide the ability to deliver information such as the maximum change in velocity during impact, indication of crash type (front, side, rear or rollover), safety belt usage as detected by the vehicle, awareness of whether multiple impacts occurred and whether airbags were deployed.

“SYNC will only broadcast relevant information to save time, and it constructs a very efficient message for the operator,” said Hatton. “After the introductory message, the voice line opens automatically and occupants can speak directly with the operator via SYNC’s hands-free functionality.”

Ford worked with the National Emergency Number Association to gather input from members, including Eaton County Central Dispatch in Michigan, and to educate emergency responders about the technology.

“We are pleased to continue working with Ford to prolong our vision of any device, anywhere, anytime to provide help needed in the event of an emergency,” said Ty Wooten, education and operations director, National Emergency Number Association. “This new data provided by 911 Assist will be useful in deciding the proper level of the initial response, and will give call takers an indication as to the severity of the incident.”

Staying engaged with the needs and desires of customers, as well as the emergency services community, Ford continues to work with nonprofit agencies such as the National Emergency Number Association as the company develops enhancements to 911 Assist.

 

 

FORD REVEALS NEW FOCUS ST AT GOODWOOD; DEMONSTRATES MODEL’S ENHANCED DRIVING DYNAMICS ON FAMOUS HILL CLIMB

• New 2015 Ford Focus ST makes global debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom – the perfect venue to demonstrate the significantly enhanced driving dynamics of the new model
• Updated tuning provides increased handling refinement and improved steering feel to help deliver a driving experience that is more responsive and balanced
• Beautifully crafted cockpit-like interior features ergonomic controls, Recaro seats and sports steering wheel

June 27, 2014  | GOODWOOD, U.K – The 2015 Ford Focus ST makes its global debut today at Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom – the ideal venue for showcasing the enhanced driving dynamics of Ford’s global performance version of the new Focus.

“Since its debut, Focus ST has been bringing our fun-to-drive DNA to the hot hatch segment with a uniquely Ford blend of driving dynamics, performance and style,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “Now, with improved dynamics, an updated suspension, new styling and a more sophisticated cabin, we expect the 2015 Focus ST will remain the hottest hatch worldwide.”

Focus ST will benefit from technology and craftsmanship first revealed earlier this year for the new Ford Focus – the world’s best-selling global nameplate. Ford introduced the first Focus ST in 2002; since then, more than 140,000 examples have been sold in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Refinements for the upgraded 2015 Focus ST include:

• Redesigned, sportier front and rear fascias
• HID headlamps standard with ST2 and ST3 trim levels with Recaro seats
• Standard LED signature lighting
• 18-inch Rado Gray alloy wheels standard
• Available new 18-inch alloy wheel design with red painted brake calipers
• New exterior color, Magnetic Metallic, replaces Ingot Silver
• Two over-the-top stripe choices now available – Satin Black and High Gloss Red, stripes come with matching mirror skull caps
• Redesigned instrument panel center stack with improved climate controls and new finishes
• New center console with more storage space including a new media bin with USB smart charging port, which charges two times faster than previous USB port
• Updated front door storage with cupholders
• New flat-bottom steering wheel to provide extra leg clearance for the driver
• Available heated steering wheel
• Available eight-way power driver’s seat
• Revised steering for improved feel
• Rear view camera standard

Enhanced driving dynamics

Ford Team RS, the award-winning European arm of Ford’s Global Performance Vehicle group, made improving the entire driving experience the No. 1 objective for the new Focus ST.

The sports suspension features all-new front springs and sportier shock absorber tuning front and rear to deliver even sharper dynamic performance. The electric power-assisted steering has also been revised to provide the Focus ST driver with improved steering feel.

“We are proud Ford has long enjoyed a reputation for producing performance hatchbacks with superb driving dynamics, and the new Focus ST further ups the ante,” said Nair. “The engineering enhancements to the suspension and steering deliver greater responsiveness, agility and precision – all of which will reward the performance enthusiast with an exhilarating driving experience.”

Ford’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost® engine uses turbocharging, twin independent variable camshaft timing and high-pressure direct injection to deliver uncompromising performance. Peak output of 252 horsepower is available at 5,500 rpm, while torque peaks at 270 lb.-ft. at 2,500 rpm.

The engine is paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission with a performance-oriented, short-throw shifter. The gear ratios – exclusive to ST – deliver rapid acceleration in lower gears and comfortable cruising at speed.

Powerful appearance

The new Focus ST features sportier and more aggressive styling than the previous generation, with a lower, wider stance; new dynamically sculpted hood; slimmer headlamps and rectangular fog lamps.

The sports body kit also includes body‑colored side skirts and diffuser elements either side of the exhaust, and a rear roof spoiler optimized for aerodynamic performance. All new Focus ST models feature twin-hexagonal center tailpipes.

“The design of the new Focus is stronger and sportier, and that allowed us to make the new ST even more aggressive and dramatic,” said Moray Callum, Ford group vice president, Global Design. “The front bumper is deeper, the honeycomb upper grille is higher and more upright, and the lower grille is larger. The deeper rear bumper really emphasizes the width of the car.”

Cockpit-style cabin

Ford has redesigned the Focus interior for a more intuitive layout, with a clearer visual connection between key components and significantly fewer buttons in the cabin.

An additional bank of three gauges – an ST hallmark – is situated in a central instrument pod and displays turbocharger boost pressure, oil temperature and oil pressure information. A new, flat-base sports steering wheel with a soft-feel leather covered rim, a satin chrome-topped gear lever and ST pedals deliver the interior ST drivers expect.

Satin chrome door grab handles and aluminum scuff plates with illumination add extra touches of refinement. The car’s sport seats developed jointly by Ford and Recaro provide the support required to fully enjoy the ST driving experience, along with comfort for everyday driving.

The new Focus ST will be available in ST1, ST2 and ST3 trim levels. ST1 seats feature gray/charcoal/anthracite black fabric; ST2 adds partial leather with base and side bolsters available in four colors – Tangerine Scream, Performance Blue, Smoke Storm or Race Red; ST3 seats have full charcoal black leather finish.

Advanced technologies

Driver-assist, convenience and connectivity technologies include Ford SYNC®. 2015 Focus ST drivers will have access to powerful capabilities thanks to a host of new functions developers can integrate as they modify their apps to communicate with enhanced SYNC® AppLink™.

Android and iOS smartphone owners can download more than 60 AppLink-enabled apps from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

 

WECANDO PRINT, PROMOTIONAL PARTNER OF HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY

Deerfield Beach-based company newest addition for Ford Championship Weekend

MIAMI – June 26, 2014 – Homestead-Miami Speedway announced today that there is a new addition to the growing list of promotional partners for the 2014 Ford Championship Weekend, which crowns champions in all three of NASCAR’s premier series. Currently based in Fort Lauderdale, Wecando Print, a full service branding company, is the new promotional partner for Ford Championship Weekend in November.

Wecando Print is located in downtown Fort Lauderdale, but due to an increased volume of orders and rapid expansion, it has quickly outgrown its current headquarters and will be moving to Deerfield Beach in July. The company houses more than 700,000 promotional products and thousands of choices for uniform, promotional or retail apparel that can be branded with any logo. The company was established in 2003, and has grown to service clients all over the world.

“We are very excited to add a great new promotional partner for the 2014 Ford Championship Weekend,” Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer said. “When we first met with Wecando Print and learned about their services, we knew that they were a great fit for a partnership. We look forward to building a mutually beneficial relationship with Wecando Print.”

“Wecando Print is extremely excited to be involved as a branding partner with Homestead-Miami Speedway,” Wecando Print CEO Tom Letourneau said. “The championship race is the Super Bowl of NASCAR, and we are very proud to be a part of this great history and organization. The team at Homestead-Miami Speedway has been great to work with and we look forward to a long relationship and a lot of great races!”

Wecando Print specializes in printing, promotional products, embroidery, screen printing, banners, fulfillment services, internet marketing services and company stores. As part of Ford Championship Weekend, Wecando Print will have QR codes on the back of tickets, with an opportunity for fans to scan the code into their smartphone and win an upgraded ticket into the Wecando Print Pit Road Cabana, located directly above the NASCAR team garages, as well as other prizes. For more information about Wecando Print, please visit www.wecandoprint.com.

Ford Championship Weekend will again serve as the championship weekend for all three of NASCAR’s premier series – the Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Camping World Truck Series on November 14-16. For the first time in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history, four drivers will compete for the championship after surviving the nine-race Chase For The Sprint Cup elimination series, and compete in a full 43-car field for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion title. For more information about Ford Championship Weekend, please visit www.HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com.

 

TALENT TRANSITIONS BOLSTER KEY NASCAR BUSINESS AREAS

Rogers, Parker and Warfield Assume New Roles within Organization

Brent Dewar, Chief Operating Officer of NASCAR

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. June 26, 2014 – NASCAR announced transitions today within three key business areas, highlighting the company’s commitment to talent development.

Patrick Rogers has been promoted to senior director of Driver Marketing Services, Evan Parker becomes senior director of Brand Platforms and Scott Warfield has been promoted to senior director of Social Media and Broadcast Communications.

“NASCAR is committed to the development of our team throughout all areas of the organization,” said Brent Dewar, Chief Operating Officer of NASCAR. “Each of these moves highlights our goal of growing our talented professionals, and thereby strengthening our company. Patrick, Evan and Scott have added incredible value in their current roles. They now have an opportunity to showcase their talent in other critical areas of our business.”

Rogers most recently served as director of Brand Platforms, Marketing. He was instrumental in the renewal of series entitlement partner Camping World. His new role will give Rogers oversight of NASCAR’s Driver Services team, which works closely with the industry in order to develop, nurture and maximize the integration of the sport’s drivers. Rogers will report to Jill Gregory, NASCAR vice president of Industry Services.

“Patrick has extensive experience working with the industry and will be a valuable resource immediately to those key stakeholders,” Gregory said. “The collaboration with teams and drivers is at an all-time high and Patrick will work closely with internal and external groups to further develop driver brands and increase driver star power. His experience working with drivers will add power to an already strong Driver Services team and allow successful initiatives such as the NASCAR Next program to continue to grow.”

Parker will transition from NASCAR’s Los Angeles office to its Charlotte office. He served as senior director of Entertainment Marketing and helped lead the sport’s integration efforts into several entertainment properties. In his new role, Parker will lead the development of NASCAR’s marketing efforts around platforms that occur throughout the year. He will report to Kim Brink, NASCAR vice president of Marketing.

“We’re glad to have Evan bring his leadership and fresh perspective into the brand platforms role,” Brink said. “He’s very familiar with the successful programs we’ve worked hard to establish over the last several seasons. We have an aggressive strategy in place to continue reaching current and prospective fans and Evan will play a key role in leading those efforts.”

Warfield’s new responsibilities include guiding NASCAR’s overall social media strategy and its cross-departmental integration as NASCAR implements programs across a number of social media channels. He also will continue to work closely with the company’s digital, entertainment and broadcasting teams.

“NASCAR’s social media presence and impact continues to grow and serve as a key communications channel for us with our fans,” said Brett Jewkes, NASCAR vice president and chief communications officer. “Scott’s experience working with broadcasting, digital and entertainment coupled with his strong knowledge of the sport will be invaluable in his new role.”

Source: NASCAR