The Yates family has been named the 30th recipient of the prestigious Spirit of Ford Award, the highest honor bestowed by Ford for lifetime contributions to motorsports on and off the track. The recognition comes as Ford launches its 125th season of global racing, underscoring how deeply the Yates name is woven into the Blue Oval’s competitive DNA.
Edsel Ford II: “They truly bleed Ford blue”
Edsel Ford II presented the award to Doug Yates, who accepted on behalf of his family during Daytona Speedweeks. In his remarks, Ford noted that while people often say he “bleeds Ford blue,” the same is just as true—if not more so—for the Yates family. He praised Robert and Doug Yates not only as symbols of Ford’s racing success, but as examples of what is right about motorsports itself: integrity, technical excellence, and a relentless commitment to doing things the right way.
Robert Yates’ legacy: from engine room to Hall of Fame
Robert Yates began his career in 1967 at Holman-Moody, one of NASCAR’s most storied operations, and built the engine that powered a Daytona 500 winner just two years later. In the 1980s he was behind some of the sport’s most important programs, including the effort that delivered Richard Petty’s 200th victory. Yates launched Robert Yates Racing in 1988, and between 1989 and 2007 the team claimed dozens of NASCAR Cup Series wins, multiple Daytona 500 victories, and a Cup championship. His impact was cemented in 2018 when he was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Doug Yates and the rise of Roush Yates Engines
Armed with a mechanical engineering degree from North Carolina State, Doug Yates joined the family team in 1990 and quickly became one of Ford’s most influential engine minds. When Ford brought together the engine programs of Jack Roush and Robert Yates in 2004, Doug was chosen to lead the unified operation as CEO of Roush Yates Engines. Under his leadership, Ford-powered entries have earned hundreds of NASCAR victories across all three national series, multiple Daytona 500 wins, and several Cup titles, along with major sports car triumphs including the modern Ford GT’s success at Le Mans.
Daytona 500 triumphs and championship hardware
The Yates name is etched into Daytona 500 lore. Robert Yates Racing-powered cars collected multiple wins in “The Great American Race,” while also starting on the front row numerous times. The Roush Yates era has extended that tradition, delivering a steady stream of Daytona 500 victories for Ford drivers and reinforcing the brand’s reputation for horsepower on stock car racing’s biggest stage. Those engines have also powered Ford-backed teams to several NASCAR Cup Series championships in the modern era.
Emotional meaning for the Yates family
Accepting the Spirit of Ford Award, Doug Yates emphasized how deeply the honor resonates with his family. He spoke of his pride in being considered part of the broader Ford family and reflected on how much the moment would have meant to his late father, Robert. Doug underscored that every race is approached with the same goal: to make Ford, and the Ford family, proud—one engine, one win, and one season at a time.
What the Spirit of Ford Award represents
The Spirit of Ford Award recognizes individuals and families whose impact on racing goes far beyond results sheets and trophy cases. Past recipients include many of the sport’s most revered drivers, team owners, and innovators. By adding the Yates family to that list, Ford is formally acknowledging that Robert and Doug Yates have helped define what Ford racing stands for. As the company looks ahead in its 125th season of competition, the award signals that its future will continue to be built on the kind of multi‑generational passion, engineering excellence, and loyalty that the Yates family embodies.
