Ford relishing role as NASCAR underdog
 

Ford relishing role as NASCAR underdog

In the beleaguered U.S. auto industry, where job cuts and plant closings seem to accompany quarterly news of billion-dollar losses, doing more with less is a mantra. Ford Racing Technology director Dan Davis doesn't mind applying the strategy to NASCAR, particularly if his teams challenge for a title.

"Of the four manufacturers, we spend the least, and yet I think our results are as good as anybody's," said Davis, whose Fusions have won two of four Sprint Cup races this season. "I'd like to be known as the most efficient manufacturer.

2008 SEASON: Manufacturer parity has taken over

"It's a bit of a gamble if you don't have resources that others do, but we enjoy being that underdog. It makes it that much sweeter when you can beat up on them."

Though Ford has fewer drivers (two) in the top 12 than Dodge (three), Toyota (three) and Chevrolet (four), the manufacturer arguably might be having the best season. Carl Edwards has two wins and seemed on the way to a third at Atlanta Motor Speedway before an engine failure.
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Edwards would be ranked sixth, four spots behind Roush Fenway Racing teammate Greg Biffle, if not for a 100-point penalty at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Matt Kenseth (12th) would be higher if he hadn't been collected in crashes triggered by others after leading at Daytona International Speedway and Vegas.

The results are vindication for Davis, who lobbied team owner Jack Roush to increase his investment.

"I was pretty hard on him in Indianapolis a year and half ago and kind of made him mad," Davis said. "But you could see the handwriting on the wall that if we didn't do things that competitors were doing, we'd dig a hole that was hard to get out. To his credit, he stepped up."

Ford's roster was depleted by the loss of Robby Gordon to Dodge in February. Only seven Fords raced Sunday at Atlanta, but Davis isn't worried about adding more teams.

"I'd much rather work at getting the cars we have to championship caliber; that's way more important than adding an armada," Davis said. "As more folks run your stuff, it dilutes your focus and capability.

"Having said that, if Rick Hendrick called up, I might answer."

"Having said that, if Rick Hendrick called up, I might answer."[/QUOTE]

But guess what the top dogs went to Toyota not Ford when they were interested in moving. Ford needs a reality grip they are way out of sync internally. When Chevy wins a race the very next comercial is something like "once again Chevy leads the way" or 'You to can win by visiting your local Chevrolet dealership". One race last year Rouch was like 1-2-3-5 and guess what not a word from Ford. That would imply to me Ford marketing is really disinterested or have no confidence in their team. Lets face it fans Ford is in a sink hole which has also rolled over to their race teams.wall: