Dearborn, Mich. — During this afternoon’s Ford auto racing celebration in the World Headquarters, before a Ford employee-filled auditorium and several NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Nextel Cup drivers and owners, Bill Ford Jr., chairman and chief executive officer, spoke about auto racing’s importance to the company. His speech follows.

“Thank you. It's great to be here.

“If someone asked me to show them the heart and soul of Ford Motor Company, I would have invited them to join us here today. Racing is in our DNA. It's what makes us different, and what makes us great.

”A lot of car companies are involved in racing, but Ford Motor Company was born on a race track. It was our very first bold move. Henry Ford challenged the reigning champion of his day in the Sweepstakes car you see behind me. He won, and the resulting prestige and publicity helped drive his incredible success.

”That was more than 100 years ago, and we've been racing and winning ever since. But this is much more than an exercise in nostalgia for us. The business case for racing is stronger than ever.

”NASCAR has 75 million fans in the U.S. It's the second highest rated sport on television, and accounts for 17 of the top 20 sporting events annually. Fifty four percent of Ford owners are race fans. That's why we put this Ford Fusion on the track. By the way, Fusion had its best sales month ever in May.

”Racing helps us connect with our customers, strengthen our brand, and sell our products. It also drives innovation into our culture and our products, developing engineering talent and improving the vehicles we sell.

”In these challenging times, racing also teaches us some important lessons about determination, perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and winning. Racing also is a lot of fun, and that's important, too.

“I really appreciate the teams taking the time out from their busy schedules to join us today. My special thanks to all the drivers. You are the ones who make First On Race Day a reality.

”As a matter of fact, great drivers are another wonderful Ford racing tradition. After Henry Ford won his big race in the Sweepstakes, he retired as a race car driver. He decided that zooming around a track at an average speed of 45 miles per hour was something only an expert should attempt. So he hired a bicycle racer named Barney Oldfield to race his cars, and both men went on to become automotive legends.

”That outstanding legacy continues to this day, with the drivers in this room. They add an exciting new chapter to the Ford racing legend every time they get behind the wheel, and we really appreciate it.

”I want to wrap up today's program by thanking all of the employees who joined us today to help celebrate Ford racing. I'm sure you'll agree that the best way to finish things up is with a round of applause for the drivers and teams who make us so proud every Sunday. How about it?”

Ford Jr., lead the applause. As the Ford employees joined, Ford Jr., shook hands with drivers and team owners.