Sunday was Father’s Day, but it also turned into a sweet birthday celebration for Ford Motor Co.
Greg Biffle drove his No. 16 Ford Fusion to victory in the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway on the same day Ford Motor Co. marked the 110th anniversary of its founding. It also was the 1,000th victory for the blue oval in NASCAR’s top three divisions.
Ford Racing director Jamie Allison and other officials from the automaker gathered near Biffle’s pit box to count down the final laps. Ford is headquartered in Dearborn, about 80 miles from MIS.
Owner Jack Roush, who considers MIS is home track, celebrated his 313th victory.
“Ford started racing in NASCAR more than 60 years ago and we’ve been involved over half of that time and some great teams and great drivers have been part of that,” Roush said. “We’re honored to be part of that history.”
Ford Racing was ready to celebrate the 1,000-victory milestone: Biffle and crew chief Matt Puccia were given “Ford 1000” caps before they met the media.
Jim Roper won the first NASCAR-sanctioned race June 19, 1949, at Charlotte driving a Lincoln.
