Supporting America’s veterans has long been “core” to Ford Motor Company’s identity, a legacy that Will Ford says the automaker hopes to carry forward through a first-of-its-kind Veterans Day race.
Will Ford, the general manager of Ford Racing and the great-great-grandson of company founder Henry Ford, told FOX Business that the inaugural “Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic” brings together longstanding parts of the automaker’s history, including supporting the military community and competing in motorsports.
“Supporting veterans communities has always been core to who we are as a company and something that my family has always deeply valued,” Will Ford said.
Will Ford pointed to the automaker’s role during World War II, when it halted civilian vehicle production and turned its manufacturing capacity toward the war effort, including building the Willow Run plant in Michigan.
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“This opportunity to bring together Blue Star Families, the veterans’ community for a special race like this — to me, it brings together two of the best parts of Ford, being there for our country and our veterans communities and our commitment to racing, which is also something that has never wavered throughout our company’s history,” Will Ford said.
He added, “To serve a very important cause of supporting our fellow Americans who serve and protect our country is — I’m very proud to get to be a part of it.”
The event, which was first announced in June, will take place on Nov. 11 at Daytona International Speedway and bring together Ford, NASCAR, Blue Star Families, International Motor Sports Association and Historic Sportscar Racing.
Six teams honoring each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces will compete in Mustang Dark Horse R race cars, with a driver lineup that includes Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Logan Sargeant, Noah Gragson, Frankie Muniz and Ben Hobson, according to Ford.
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Each of the cars will feature a special livery representing one of the six military branches.
“Each car will have a special livery to reflect that branch of the military,” Will Ford said. “… I think it’s something that the fans will love.”
Zac Brown Band will headline a concert during the event, with other artists also set to perform.
Will Ford said Daytona was a natural choice for the event because of the track’s place in American motorsports, Ford’s longstanding relationship with NASCAR and the military community’s presence in the region.
“I can’t imagine anywhere more iconic in the United States to hold an event like this than Daytona,” he said.
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Will Ford said he hopes the event will grow into an annual Veterans Day tradition.
“This is a very exciting evolution in terms of how we can execute this event and something that we hope lives on and becomes synonymous with Veterans Day and supporting our military community for many years to come,” he said.
Beyond the race and concert, the company is also launching the “Proud to Honor Fund,” powered by GlobalGiving, with donations supporting organizations that serve military members, veterans and their families.
Tickets for the Nov. 11 event are on sale now. A portion of ticket proceeds will also benefit Blue Star Families.
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