DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jim Farley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ford Motor Co. and a member of Ford’s board of directors, was named the 2025 recipient of the RRDC Bob Akin Award.
He was honored at the annual Road Racing Drivers Club members’ dinner on January 21, prior to the running of the 64th Rolex 24 At Daytona, the season opener of the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Each recipient of this honor, considered the top prize in motorsports for amateur, vintage/historic or semi-professional drivers, is selected by Akin’s son Bobby, RRDC members Brian Redman and Judy Stropus, and approved by RRDC president Bobby Rahal.
The distinctive trophy was conceived by the RRDC in 2003 to honor the memory of longtime RRDC member and past president Bob Akin, who lost his life following a testing accident in 2002.
It was designed by Steuben Glass in Corning, New York, and is given to a driver who best exemplifies the extraordinary qualities and characteristics that Akin represented, including a passion for motorsports and automobiles, a high level of sportsmanship and fair play, and who has contributed to the sport of motor racing and the community at large.
The primary award, etched with the names of the recipients, is displayed at the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, New York. Each honoree receives a smaller replica.
As Ford’s CEO, Farley is focused on transforming Ford to lead the digital and electric evolution in the automotive industry. Under Farley’s leadership, Ford reorganized its business into three distinct automotive segments: Ford Blue, for iconic gas and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, for breakthrough electric vehicles and the digital platforms and software for Ford’s entire product lineup; and Ford Pro, for work-ready vehicles software, and services that help commercial customers transform their operations.
Prior to joining Ford in 2007, Farley was group vice president and general manager of Lexus and group vice president of the Toyota Division.
Beyond the workplace, he is a collector and racer of vintage vehicles and it is not uncommon to find him on tracks around the world racing his 1965 Ford GT 40, 1966 427 Cobra, or 1978 Lola 298, among others. Farley also hosts DRIVE, a podcast that rekindles America’s love affair with cars, the influence they have in our life and how those experiences drive us to succeed personally and professionally.
In addition to his various roles at Ford, he currently serves on the board of directors of Harley-Davidson and on the external advisory council for the JPMorganChase Security and Resiliency Initiative.
Farley is a graduate of Georgetown University and the Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles. He and his wife, Lia, have three children.
“There are three basic tenets that make up the Bob Akin Award and our winner truly lives up to all three,” said Bobby Akin as he presented Farley with the award. “First, a passion for motorsports and driving at a high level. Our winner certainly checks that box. He is racing whenever he can. Outside of his day job and family, getting behind the wheel is what drives him.
“Multiple Le Mans Classics, finishing second in a GT40; countless Rolex Reunions; the Spa 6-hour. He recently drove in the Mustang Invitational at Le Mans and is racing here (at Daytona International Speedway) in the HSR event.
“A winner also must have a career outside of racing. I think it’s safe to say our winner has that covered.
“Lastly, and most importantly, the winner needs to be a good human. I have known our winner for about 20 years, and I am proud to call him a friend. No matter how crazy busy he is, or is between trips to the White House, he always has time for his friends and family. A genuinely good guy! Please welcome Jim Farley.”
“It’s incredibly humbling to receive the Bob Akin Award. And, as CEO of Ford, I don’t think there’s a bigger compliment in my career,” said Farley. “It’s a recognition from car people and racers and it’s more personal for me. It’s one of the most meaningful things that’s happened to me in my life. Thank you. Thank you.”
