NASCAR FINDS NEWEST FAN AT TOP OF COMMAND

[ 10/30/2002 ]

BY TEAM FORD RACING CORRESPONDENT

Charlotte, N.C. — When the Big Boss comes to town for the race it’s always a good idea to have your Sunday best looking sharp. And that’s just what the Ford Family did Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway when they greeted Ford President and Chief Operating Officer Nick Scheele.

According to those accompanying Scheele, the sport of NASCAR racing has made a new fan in the 58-year-old England native.

Scheele arrived at the track and was immediately impressed with what he saw in one of the sport’s premier ovals. The view of the high-banks impressed him so much that the group made a lap in the chopper with the Ford VIP prior to its landing.

Scheele, who was accompanied at the track by Ford Racing Technology Manager Dan Davis, was reportedly wide-eyed at the display laid-out before him. It didn’t matter where Scheele looked because there was something new to take in, all the way from the converted school buses turned campers in the infield to the inner working of the Winston Cup garage.

But this was a working visit for Ford’s President. In his role of 'Boss Scheele', he observed and met with the people who make Ford Racing a success, including car owners Eddie and Len Wood; Robert and Doug Yates; and Jack Roush. Scheele was also introduced to Ricky Rudd; Dale Jarrett and his family; and Jeff Burton. Upon extending his hand out to greet Burton, Scheele said, “I know him,” and the two began an in-depth conversation. Roush’s visit included nearly as much talk about the production side of the business as it did about racing.

Scheele was then given a tour of the Motorcraft Ford operation. This part of the visit had the Wood Brothers, Len and Eddie, taking Scheele around the Motorcraft Ford as it sat on the starting grid. Scheele seemed impressed with what he saw in the Company Car and he noted several differences between the full-bodied stock car and the Formula One racers he’s more accustomed to, coming from Europe.

After the tour of the Motorcraft Taurus was complete Scheele was taken to the Wood Brothers’ “war wagon” where a pit stop was explained in some detail. The man seemed intrigued with what he saw.

Scheele wondered though, how does a Winston Cup team track fuel consumed and distance to empty. That process was explained to him by the men who calculate fuel mileage, and done in some detail as those traveling with Scheele explained. Scheele, at one point, asked, “Well, do you ever just guess?” To which Jarrett answered, “Yes, and sometimes we’re wrong.” drawing laughter from the crowd.

Scheele also spent time with the Wood Brothers’ associate sponsor representative when he met with United States Air Force’s Lester Lyles, a four star general. Scheele also spent about five minutes with NASCAR President Mike Helton.

Spotting one of the Head and Neck Support devices in the area, the President of Ford tried it on and got a full explanation of how it hooks to the drivers’ helmet and how it limits the head motion of a driver during an accident. Perhaps Scheele’s interest in the HANS device was driven by the fact that Ford purchased, for every Ford driver, one of these potentially life saving devices, and did so without any qualms at all.

Scheele rode in the 6 millionth production Taurus pace car during one of the pace laps, immediately after he had given the command to start engines for the NAPA 500 in his role of Grand Marshal for the event.

After his ride on the high-banks Scheele sheepishly asked if he could watch the race from the pits. No sweat, said Davis, and the two stood on the pit wall in one of the Ford teams’ pit stall from the drop of the green flag until the first caution period of the event.

After the thrill of his visit as a spectator on pit road, it was off to the Speedway Motorsports chairman’s personal suite, where Scheele was introduced to Bruton Smith, Scheele’s host of the day. It was during the ride from the infield to the suite that a close inspection of the parking lots was done, and Scheele liked what he saw. “Look at all the trucks and all the domestics. I like domestics,” was the comment made by the man who provides many of those domestics, or American branded cars, such as the Ford mark.

Scheele even took time out during his busy day to have his picture taken with several employees of the Ford Motor Company, who recognized the Detroit-based VIP and asked for the favor.

From those who traveled with Scheele, it appears as though the trip to Georgia was a big hit. And given the fact that the first impression was so positive, the visit is likely the first of many for NASCAR’s newest race fan.