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Ford’s “Bring Your Child to Work Day”
We’re on our way to the airport and I’m just thinking about the great day here at Ford. It was the third year that I was invited to participate in for Ford’s “Take Your Kid to Work Day” in Dearborn, Michigan. I’ve always said the best part of my job is spending time with the kids and we had a blast today!
It was great to have a day with all of the kids of Motorcraft/Quick Lane and Ford employees and doing a lot of different things. The kids had plenty of activities to choose from throughout the day from classes on how to make a commercial, designing a Ford Flex, to activities including racing a pinewood derby car, making a Ford ID badge and face painting.
The class that I hosted was All About Drag Racing. I always find it fascinating the quality of the questions you get asked from kids that are five, six, seven years old. We showed them some footage from our first win in Gainesville. I also told them about my role as a driver, and how my crew chief and team get our Mustang ready to race. One thing I told the kids was that I’m the all-Ford kid in the all-Ford race car and the engineering and the support that Ford Motor Company gives us on both a performance and safety standpoint is second to none. The kids had a lot questions on safety, on-track performance and how to be a race car driver. It’s nice to spend some time and give some kids advice because I certainly owe a lot from people who have given me advice.
Before leaving for the day, I was invited to be a judge for the Ford Flex design contest. That’s always hard because you don’t want to vote in front of the kids who have all put in so much time into their designs. But at the end of the day, it’s no different than drag racing – someone has got to win, and someone has got to lose. All the kids were winners in my book.
After spending a great day with the children in Dearborn, I’m looking forward to spending a few days home in Rhode Island. The boys are getting ready for spring and summer. Unfortunately, the hockey sticks and skates have been retired for the season, but have been replaced by gloves and bats. My boys are ready for the baseball season to start.
See you in at St. Louis!
Blog – Off to Gainesville
Just before I left for Pomona, my brother Michael got married and my cousin Carl, and I were the best men. We had a lot of fun that day. Michael and Brianna had their reception at the same place where Terri and I had ours – the Alpine Country Club. It was great to be around so many friends and family for such a happy occasion. With everything that has happened over the last several months, it was nice to celebrate. My boys had a role in the wedding too, they were the ring bearers. It was a big event for them, because they had never been in a wedding before. They got in their tuxedos and they were about as happy as you can believe to be a part of the wedding. They were really excited about it. They got a kick out of walking down the aisle in front of everyone. I’m happy to welcome my new sister-in-law, Brianna, to our family
On my way to Pomona, I made a pit stop at the Cobra Jet assembly plant in Flat Rock, Michigan. It was real special because the Cobra Jet was the car that my grandfather really pioneered. On the flight to Detroit, I wondered how many manufacturers would have invested all this time and energy into building a special run of 50 cars? When you look at the big picture, there will be over 13 million cars sold in America, and yet Ford designated a team of people, and dedicated an assembly line for 50 cars. It’s a tribute to the importance Ford Motor Company places on its racing programs and its dedication to the Ford racers. It was always my grandfather’s passion to support the racer, because they’re really the catalyst in the marketplace. They are the ones that their friends and families go to for advice on cars. They’re the ones that go into their own pocket, spend their own money on race cars, race trailers, racing parts, and are so passionate about their manufacturer. In this case it’s Ford, and for Ford to invest the resources to build 50 cars, it shows how much respect they have for the racing fans, and the racers themselves. It might only be 50 out of 13 million cars sold, but there will be no other vehicles that will create the memories, experiences that those 50 cars will create over the years as racers across the country take them to the track, and put them in the winner’s circle. The Cobra Jet legend lives on.
Recovering From a Rough Start
After a rough start to 2010, I’m ready to get the 2010 race season under way.
As you all know my grandfather passed away Jan. 8. My family and I want to thank everyone for all of their thoughts and prayers. It was so comforting to read the letters, emails, text messages and cards from so many people. My grandfather inspired so many and for that he will live on within the hearts and souls of his friends and family. He was a great example of how to live a life and for that I was blessed to have him as my role model for so many years.
What many people were not aware of was during this difficult time my youngest son Cameron became very ill.
