DEARBORN, Mich., April 30, 2009 – Bill Elliott has already been selected as a Motorsports Hall of Fame driver.
Now Motorcraft, sponsor of his No. 21 Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, wants fans to select him to be a 2009 All-Star.
Elliott, the 1988 NASCAR Champion and 16-time fan-voted Most Popular Driver, will attempt to race his Motorcraft Ford Fusion into the NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race on Saturday, May 16.
But since Elliott and the Wood Brothers finished in the top-50 in owner points in 2008, not only is Elliott eligible to race in the Sprint Showdown qualifying race that Saturday afternoon, but he also can contend for the fan-voted position in the All-Star race that evening.
To help ensure Elliott secures a spot, Motorcraft asks race fans to vote for Bill at www.nascar.com/promos/allstar/
Motorcraft is the primary sponsor on the Wood Brothers No. 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup Ford Fusion for nine races this season, which began in February at the Daytona 500 and will culminate with the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
“We really enjoy working with Bill and the Wood Brothers,” said Bob Benintende, Motorcraft National Marketing Manager. “Bill’s career accomplishments have already earned him a spot in the Motorsport Hall of Fame, and he certainly has All-Star credentials. We encourage all race fans to vote for Bill in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race fan vote.”
Fan voting is underway and fans will decide which driver will race as fan choice in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
The Wood Brothers are acknowledged pioneers in the sport of stock-car racing, and have earned 96 wins in over 50 years of NASCAR competition – second most in Ford Racing history.
The red and black Motorcraft logo appears on the No. 21 Ford Fusion in NASCAR, while two Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) brands - Motorcraft and Quick Lane - adorn the Shelby Mustang Nitro Funny Car of Bob Tasca III, winner of the 2009 Gainesville Gatornationals.
FCSD and its associated brands have won a place in the hearts and minds of racing fans everywhere since the mid-1980s, including sponsoring Ford Hall-of-Fame drag racer Bob Glidden, a 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion, and NASCAR champions Bill Elliott and Dale Jarrett.
Motorcraft is a longtime team sponsor in NASCAR’s premier series. Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) backed cars have recorded 33 wins and a pair of championships since Motorcraft first appeared on the Ford Thunderbirds of Bud Moore in 1985. In 1988, Motorcraft teamed up with Coors as an associate sponsor on Bill Elliott’s championship-winning Thunderbird.
About Motorcraft
Motorcraft® offers a complete line of original equipment-approved parts that are recommended and approved by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood and powertrain repairs, Motorcraft parts offer exceptional value with the highest quality and right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available locally and are backed nationwide by Ford Motor Company's Service Parts Limited Warranty. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With more than 213,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s wholly owned brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com
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