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Ford Racing
Billy Johnson and Jack Roush Jr. reach victory lane with the No. 61 Ford Mustang Boss 302R in the 2012 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway.
- The victory is Roush Performance?s first Grand-Am win at Daytona International Speedway
- The victory is a complete turn-of-fortune, after incidents ended the day early for the No. 61 Ford Mustang Boss 302R each of the last two season-openers at Daytona
Daytona, Fla. ? Jan. 27, 2012? Each of the past two seasons, Billy Johnson and Jack Roush Jr. have brought their Ford Mustang Boss 302R home from Daytona International Speedway with disappointment, their days ended early with incidents beyond their control.
Friday marked a complete turnaround, as the duo reached victory lane in the No. 61 Roush Performance Boss 302R in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season-opener, continuing their strong showing since their last Daytona disappointment.
After a treacherous run early, thanks to the drizzly rain and slick surfaces, Roush Jr. handed the car over to Johnson within striking distance of the leaders. Johnson darted through the field, leading the final 18 laps and held off a charging field with an outstanding restart with three laps to go.
?It feels great to finally get that monkey off our back after two very bad race weekends here,? Johnson said. ?The last two years we?ve started off the season with no points and trying to dig ourselves out of a hole for the entire year and it?s always a heartbreak at the end of the year. We hope with this victory, that we can continue that trend and hopefully take home the championship at the end of the year.?
Johnson and Roush Jr. are no strangers to winning, after taking home a win and multiple podiums throughout the 2011 season. However, even now after winning Daytona, they won?t let their attitudes alter much for the remainder of the season and will stay focused on the ultimate goal.
?It was a fun race for sure, but there?s a very high bar been set by my father and I take that very seriously,? said Roush Jr. ?Even the days that we win a race, we walk away critiquing what went wrong and try to improve. It?s just part of who we are. We?re constantly trying to get better and do as well as we can.?
The victory also marked another special moment for Ford Racing.
?It?s the first victory for a 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302R, and for it to happen at Daytona in the first race of the season, we hope it bodes well for a great 2012 Grand-Am season,? said Jamie Allison, Director of Ford Racing.
?Congratulations to Jack and Billy, as well as the entire Roush Performance team, for carrying forward the excellent performance that they are known for. They make everyone at Ford Motor Company proud.?
The victory is the first Grand-Am checkered flag at Daytona International Speedway for Roush Performance. The 2012 Grand-Am CTSCC schedule continues on March 30 at Barber Motorsports Park.
About Ford Racing ? North America
Ford Racing ? North America, based in Dearborn, Mich., is responsible for major racing operations in North America, including NASCAR (Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series, Camping World Trucks), Grand American sports car racing, NHRA drag racing. In addition, Ford?s action motorsport programs involve Global RallyCross, Formula Drift, RallyCar and Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. The department also oversees the development and marketing of Ford Racing Engines and Performance Parts, the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts, and the marketing of the Ford Racing brand through initiatives such as Team Ford Racing. For more information regarding Ford Racing?s activities, please visit www.fordracing.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 about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company?s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford?s products, please visit www.ford.com.
Source: PCGCampbell for Ford Racing, Press Release
Roberto Bonomi Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion