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NASCAR WCUP: Ford Clinches 1999 Manufacturer's Championship

10 November 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Ford Motor Company claimed its 13th all-time manufacturer's championship by virtue of Mark Martin's second-place finish in today's Checker Auto Parts/DuraLube 500K at Phoenix International Raceway.

In claiming this years manufacturer's title, six different drivers scored points for Ford, led by NASCAR Winston Cup points leader Dale Jarrett. The driver of the No. 88 Quality Care Service/Ford Credit Taurus has been Ford's top finisher 11 times in 32 races, which included four victories. Roush Racing teammates Jeff Burton and Mark Martin also played key roles in Ford's triumph as Burton scored points in nine races while Martin was next on the list with seven. Rusty Wallace had three races where he was the top finishing Ford while Jimmy Spencer (Bristol) and Kenny Irwin (Daytona) scored once each.

The championship is the fourth of the NASCAR Winston Cup modern era for Ford (1972-present) with all of those coming in this decade. Ford's first title came in 1992 when Geoffrey Bodine clinched at North Wilkesboro after winning the Holly Farms 400. Rusty Wallace scored the clinching points at Martinsville in 1994 when he won the Goody's 500 and Jeff Burton did the same three years later at the half-mile short track after winning the Hanes 500.

"This has been a great year for us at Ford," said Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology. "We won our first manufacturer's championship in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this season and this kind of completes our version of the daily double. We couldn't be prouder of all the teams who represent us each and every week, and we can't thank them enough for making us the best manufacturer in 1999."

Ford won it's first manufacturer's championship in 1956 and followed that up with its second in 1957 before running off a string of seven straight titles from 1963-69.

Ford's Previous Manufacturer Championships (Modern Era Only) 1992 -- Clinched at North Wilkesboro by Geoffrey Bodine (won Holly Farms 400) 1994 -- Clinched at Martinsville by Rusty Wallace (won Goody's 500) 1997 -- Clinched at Martinsville by Jeff Burton (won Hanes 500) 1999 -- Clinched at Phoenix by Mark Martin (finished second in Checker Auto Parts/DuraLube 500K)

Ford drivers who have scored manufacturer's points this season: Dale Jarrett (11 times); Jeff Burton (9 times); Mark Martin (7 times); Rusty Wallace (3 times), Jimmy Spencer and Kenny Irwin (once each).

Ford's Manufacturer Championship Seasons (13): 1956, 1957, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1992, 1994, 1997 and 1999.

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