Ford Motor Company presented renowned NASCAR engine builder Doug Yates and his father, the late Robert Yates with the prestigious Spirit of Ford Award on Friday at Daytona. The honor has only been bestowed 30 times in history and goes to those who have “made a significant contribution to the sport of auto racing on and off the race track.
In its nine seasons competing in NASCAR, Robert Yates Racing (1988-2007) earned 57 wins, three DAYTONA 500 trophies and the 1999 championship with Dale Jarrett. Doug has since carried on the family tradition of success after joining forces with team owner Jack Roush.
Roush Yates Engines have accounted for 449 victories combined in the NASCAR Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Craftsman Truck Series.
“There are very few people in the world who love Ford Motor Company as much as Doug Yates,” said Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford Motor Company’s board of directors said in presenting the award. “Doug, and his father Robert, symbolize what’s right with the Ford Racing program, but also what is right about the sport of motor racing itself.”
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