Racing's Heritage: Winning Each On And Off The Track

The adage is most likely as old as stock-car racing itself: Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday. But, is that axiom as pertinent nowadays compare chapter 13 as it was, say, in the 1960s?

Ford, which for the 1st time in nearly 4 decades, has introduced an all-new model and gone NASCAR racing with it at the exact same time, is confident that the answer is yes, if not on Monday, then at least as soon as you happen to be hunting for a new automobile.

Fusion replaces Taurus as the Ford entry into NASCAR's Nextel Cup and Busch series, becoming the manufacturer's 1st all-new nameplate to debut simultaneously on the racetrack and in the showroom considering that Torino in 1968. Torino's debut 38 years earlier resulted in a driver's boston business lawyer championship for NASCAR Hall-of-Famer David Pearson, and much more than two.6 million units sold for the duration of its eight-year (1968-75) run.

"The wonderful interest in NASCAR racing will help us tie the Fusion name to the Ford brand, and it really is only proper that we race Ford's newest car in America's flagship racing series," stated Marty Collins, General Advertising Manager, Ford Division.

Racing has created very good company sense for Ford, dating back a lot more than a century, when organization founder Henry Ford raced to prove out his new product, and to acquire favorable publicity for his efforts. His victory in his one and only race, in 1901, proved to be the turning point in attracting the investors who helped him commence the Ford Motor Company in 1903.

"My excellent-grandfather understood the value of racing, and what san diego warrants it could do for a business," said Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford board of directors and a extended-time supporter of Ford's racing applications. "He knew what racing could do, each in terms of technological innovation and advertising. I think he'd be pleased that those are key causes we still race right now."

The NASCAR Fusion replaces the venerable Taurus race automobile, which captured 4 NASCAR championships (three in Nextel Cup and 1 in Busch) and 100 Nextel Cup points victories from 1998-2005. It concluded its storied run with a 1-two-three-4 finish at the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November 2005, as Greg Biffle scored his series. "We really wanted to send Taurus out with one particular much more championship," noted Dan Davis, director, Ford Racing Technologies. "But the time is right to move on to Fusion."

The production Fusion aims to emulate Taurus' off-the-track success, as well: It was the very best-selling auto in America for 5 consecutive years (1992-96), and sold a lot more than 6.5 million units among 1985-2005.

Current Ford Racing driver Dale Jarrett, who won a NASCAR championship with the Taurus in 1999 and also is a Ford dealer in North Carolina, is optimistic about the production Fusion.

"It's got a very good driving and handling package, plus the inside is really roomy and the interior is nicely done as nicely," said Jarrett. "I think this is just what we've been seeking for to enhance sales."

Start off Your Engines-Fusion, an all-new nameplate, debuts on the racetrack and in the showroom.