As NASCAR’s Cup Series heads into its first street-course race, in Chicago, Harrison Burton, crew chief Brian Wilson and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane crew are working to identify and address the challenges posed by the 12-turn, 2.2-milecourse through the streets of the Windy City.
“It is certainly an exciting and unprecedented race,” Wilson said. “This has a feel like the week prior to the first race at the L.A. Coliseum. There were so many unknowns then, just as there are now.
“The one known aspect that is similar to the Clash is that we’re taking our racing product into a city market that we haven’t been to before.
“I’m sure we’ll put on an entertaining show that will attract new fans.”
The Motorcraft/Quick Lane team, like other members of the Blue Oval contingent, is taking advantage of the resources offered by their manufacturer as they prepare for Sunday’s Grant Park 220.
“Through Ford we’ve been making laps around the track on the simulator at the Ford Performance Tech Center,” Wilson said. “At the moment the track looks extremely bumpy. There have been some sections repaved, so we’ll be ready to react once we see how the course is.
“As we’ve been preparing, the debates have centered around which aspects will be most important – grip through the bumps, braking ability, turn in the center or drive off the corner.
Once the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team gets to the track, there will be more opportunities to tune the No. 21Mustang prior to the start of Sunday’s race.
“We have a 50-minute practice, and the discussion after the first run will be focused on deciding how to rank the priority of those aspects,” Wilson said. “Adapting and making the right adjustments will be critical in order to have a successful weekend.”
Practice for the Grant Park 220 is set for Saturday at 12:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. Eastern Time) to be immediately followed by qualifying. USA Network will provide the TV coverage.
Sunday’s 100-lap, 220-mile race is scheduled to start just after 4:30 p.m. (5:30 Eastern), with TV coverage switching to NBC. Stage breaks are planned for Laps 20 and 45.
About Motorcraft®
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.
About Omnicraft®
Omnicraft is part of the Ford lineup of parts brands: Ford Parts, Motorcraft and Omnicraft. Omnicraft is the exclusive non-Ford/Lincoln parts brand of premium aftermarket parts. With over a century of parts heritage to build upon, Omnicraft provides excellent quality and fit and is a preferred choice of professional automotive technicians. To find out more about Omnicraft, visit www.omnicraftautoparts.com or contact your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.
About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, as well as connected services. Additionally, Ford is establishing leadership positions in mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 176,000 people worldwide. More information about the company, its products and Ford Credit is available at corporate.ford.com.
*See seller for limited-warranty details.
Wood Brothers Racing
Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Harrison Burton in the famous No. 21 racer.
