DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Edsel Ford II presented the Yates family with the Spirit of Ford Award.
Robert Yates Racing won 57 NASCAR Cup Series races from 1989-2007, including the Daytona 500 three times (1992 – Davey Allison; 1996 and 2000 – Dale Jarrett). The team won the NASCAR Cup Series championship in 1999.
“I think it’s fair to say I bleed Ford blue – these days it’s Ford Racing blue,” Ford said. “But today, I want to talk about a family who I think really does bleed Ford blue — The Yates family.
I know because there are very few people in the world who love Ford Motor Co. as much as Doug Yates.
“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.”
Ford went on to talk specifics of the careers of both Robert and Doug Yates, before concluding:
“So, as we enter into our 125th season of racing at Ford, it is my honor to announce that the Yates Family is the 30th winner of the Spirit of Ford Award, the highest honor Ford gives to individuals and families who have made a significant contribution to the sport of auto racing on and off the race track.”
Doug Yates accepted for his family.
“What an honor. I could have never imagined being more proud of being part of the Ford family,” Yates said. “ I wish my dad was here to celebrate this with us today, but it’s really special being part of the Ford Racing family.”
“I wouldn’t be here today without the Ford support and, obviously, what that means to us. It’s pretty emotional, to be honest with you.
“You just put in your hard work and you just do the best you can. You work hard and you want to come down here to win races and make the Ford Motor Co. proud, and the Ford family proud.”
