[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

If you want my personal opinion (and you probably don't but sè l' vie), I wonder if NASCAR is stroking Ford because of the "American" manufacturers Ford is the healthiest and [as of now] least likely to curtail NA__AR involvement? I don't think NA__AR feels it owes Jack Roush anything but Ford? I think NA__AR needs Ford right now more than Ford needs NA__AR and since Roush is basically the only Ford game in town?

Today, Ford is considered the "healthiest" of the big three auto makers. However, the entire industry is "sick" right now. Ford has not always been know as the healthy one. In the past year, Ford has shed itself of a lot of the companies that were bleeding cash from their money chests. I don't think it was long ago the GM made more money in one year than ever in its history. Times have changed. But, I don't see NASCAR "stroking" Ford because it is an "American" manufacturer.

A few years ago it was RYR and Jack Roush (as separate entities) were known as being the leaders in Ford performance parts and engines. I'm not sure who encouraged Roush and Yates to form their joint venture. But, it has monopolized the Ford performance world today. NASCAR may not feel like it owes Jack Roush anything, but "Jack Roush" is Ford's man in the racing business. Ford could easily pull some strings to get Jack's exemption to NASCAR's unpublished rules.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

Today, Ford is considered the "healthiest" of the big three auto makers. However, the entire industry is "sick" right now. Ford has not always been know as the healthy one. In the past year, Ford has shed itself of a lot of the companies that were bleeding cash from their money chests. I don't think it was long ago the GM made more money in one year than ever in its history. Times have changed. But, I don't see NASCAR "stroking" Ford because it is an "American" manufacturer.

A few years ago it was RYR and Jack Roush (as separate entities) were known as being the leaders in Ford performance parts and engines. I'm not sure who encouraged Roush and Yates to form their joint venture. But, it has monopolized the Ford performance world today. NASCAR may not feel like it owes Jack Roush anything, but "Jack Roush" is Ford's man in the racing business. Ford could easily pull some strings to get Jack's exemption to NASCAR's unpublished rules.

It would seem that "great minds" (in my case term used in its loosest context) seem to think in parallels.

[dodgefan]

i could be wrong but what i have read does not imply a complete merger. it says that yates and hof will align themselves. what does that mean?

on the other hand i am very excited for bobby. i think he will bring much needed leadership to an otherwise young stable of drivers. would i have rather seen him in the 43? who wouldnt have? or even the number 8 at EGR. im just glad to see that he will be on the track this year!

[trollmc08]

This does sound like a way for Rouch,Yates,and HOF to get around the rules.

[titans#1]

Originally Posted by dodgefan

i could be wrong but what i have read does not imply a complete merger. it says that yates and hof will align themselves. what does that mean?

on the other hand i am very excited for bobby. i think he will bring much needed leadership to an otherwise young stable of drivers. would i have rather seen him in the 43? who wouldnt have? or even the number 8 at EGR. im just glad to see that he will be on the track this year!

well only time will tell if hof racing and yates can merge and pull it off.im one of the biggest labonte fans and i wish he would stop turning down the good cars for the somewhat ok cars

[yatesracing]

Originally Posted by titans#1

well only time will tell if hof racing and yates can merge and pull it off.im one of the biggest labonte fans and i wish he would stop turning down the good cars for the somewhat ok cars

And what good cars are you refering to? I like Bobby and I hope he can handle the YATES H/P
and THE NEW 2009 FORD ENGINE

[yatesracing]

Just in case you missed the article----


File PhotoNOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FORD RACING
12/5/2008

WOLFE ANSWERS TFR MEMBER’S E-MAIL

Dearborn, Mich. — Team Ford Racing members have questions and we enjoy providing answers.
If you send us a steady stream of questions and comments, we’ll do our best to communicate replies on a regular basis. So, start those computers, warm-up those typing fingers and tell us what is on your mind.
Ken L. gets things started with his e-mail to Brian Wolfe, Director, North America Motorsports Ford Motor Company.

First, I would like to thank you and Dan Davis for a great year in NASCAR.We almost won the drivers championship in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide series but, more important to me is we almost won the Manufacturers Championship for Ford!
I hope the other Ford teams will be as good as Roush in the near future. I know Ford has great products and all we need is for the economy to pick up. We need to prove to people that we have great products by winning on Sunday.
With NASCAR's new test ban, how will you get any track time for the new engine and which race do you expect to start using it?
Thanks for your help.
Ken L.

Ken,
Thanks for your e-mail, its good to hear from our fans in support of the quest for the Manufacturer's Championship. We obviously share that passion and take pride in our team's run at it with our limited number of entries as compared to the other OEMs.
With regard to your inquiry regarding the NASCAR testing policy and its affect on our new engine for 2009, I don't believe it will have an adverse affect on our plan.
1.) We are currently in our design validation phase and running the engine in a test cell. We're going through different configurations with various load and duration cycles to simulate different race tracks that will ensure component and system durability and reliability.
2.) We are able to test at non-sanctioned NASCAR tracks to prove out the vehicle installation. In fact, we've already tested the engine on track with no major issues!
3.) We haven't decided on when we will first race with the new motor, but don't be surprised if you see it debut in late June or July. We will announce ahead of time on our website so our fans will be the first to know!
Hope this provides you with a better understanding of our plan and gives you confidence that we'll be very competitive with our new engine.
We will also put your question and response on the TFR site.
Thanks again for your passion for Ford. Brian Wolfe
Director, North America Motorsports
Ford Motor Company
AND DON'T FORGET OUR PASSION FOR OUR DRIVERS

[Racer Duck]

The discussion about Roush/Yates/HOF and whether it's one, two or three organizations depends on the legal paperwork. I don't know for a fact what it says, but knowing Jack's knack for being legal while still defying the rules I'd guess it comes down to this:

• Roush - Yates: this is a case of "co-opetition" (as DW called it) in which they may share everything including tools and underwear, but as long as they are two separate legal entities, there's no rule broken.
• Given the "co-opetition" between Roush and Yates, it's a simple matter to "send" someone to work on another team and either: pay the person directly or pay the other team to pay the person. Folks may bristle at the idea of a person working "for" one organization but being paid by another, but it's commonplace in the world of business. I believe the term they use is "on loan".
• Yates - HOF: this may actually be closer to a full merger .. or not. It isn't clear from the press clippings and I've found that often the press aren't concerned with accuracy. I think this one is gonna end up being much like the JTR-Daugherty deal with MWR: they do everything but wipe each other's rear end while remaining separate, but connected, entities legaly. I say that because I remember reading something recently where HOF said they had plans to field up to 3 teams, providing they can find sponsorship. With that goal in mind, they'd be foolish to distill everything into one team via a true merger. I think we just have to wait this one out to see how the lawyers actually structure it.

Hope all this makes sense. It's the way I see it, but, to quote BT, "I could be wrong."

[yatesracing]

Call it anything you like but its still ROUSH WHO IS CALLING ALL THE SHOTS. I'm so confused being a YATES FAN for such a long time and now I don't know where my loyalties should lie.

BTW I DISLIKE ROUSH W/ A PASSION (sorry, but I do love his drivers)

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by yatesracing

Call it anything you like but its still ROUSH WHO IS CALLING ALL THE SHOTS. I'm so confused being a YATES FAN for such a long time and now I don't know where my loyalties should lie.

BTW I DISLIKE ROUSH W/ A PASSION (sorry, but I do love his drivers)

Would have to think though that Yates is makin some kind of play to break away from Roush in some fashion. We'll see soon enough.

[trollmc08]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Would have to think though that Yates is makin some kind of play to break away from Roush in some fashion. We'll see soon enough.

I don't think so Q but your right we'll see soon enough.