Former Ford Exec Says Automaker Is Accomplishing NASCAR Goals

Ford Says NASCAR Gives Best Return, Highest Viewership, Best Television Coverage

Despite Ford's "struggles on the track," Former Ford President Edsel Ford II said that the automaker's NASCAR program is "accomplishing its goals," according to Bob Pockrass of NASCAR SCENE. Roush Fenway Racing drivers Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards currently rank seventh and eighth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, and Ford said, "We would like to be better in shape in the Chase. We'd like to be one and two obviously, but we're not. So we'll deal with it. But NASCAR, in my opinion, gives us the best return, has the highest amount of viewership, best television coverage. Man, it is the series to compete in if you want viewership. So we're pleased." Ford "expects that NASCAR will continue to help his company sell cars." Meanwhile, Ford said of the decision to run its Mustang model in the Nationwide Series next season, "Quite frankly, this exposure for Mustang and this series, is going to be very good. And I’m sure the Mustang clubs around the country are really happy what we’re doing" (SCENEDAILY.com, 10/14). Roush Fenway Racing co-Owner Jack Roush said of running Mustangs, "If you had asked me two years ago if there was a prospect of bringing a Mustang to Nationwide or Cup side I would have thought that NASCAR wouldn't have been encouraging that. But they've been open to it. They see it as an opportunity to attract some new fans and I'm just thrilled with it" ("NASCAR Now," ESPN2, 10/13).