Ford 109 years ago in motorsports

109 YEARS AGO TODAY IN MOTORSPORTS HISTORY^a.

It was Oct. 10, 1901 when Henry Ford won his first and only race in a car named "Sweepstakes" at the Detroit Driving Club in Grosse Pointe, Mich. Ford defeated Alexander Winton in a 10-lap race and eventually used the notoriety from that victory to attract investors and start the Ford Motor Co. in June 1903.

Below is a statistical comparison from that race 109 years ago to what will be happening today at Auto Club Speedway.

<pre> Date: Oct. 10, 1901 Oct. 10, 2010 What: National Auto Race Pepsi MAX 400 Where: Detroit Driving Club Auto Club Speedway Grosse Pointe, Mich. Fontana, Calif. Competitors: 2 43 Laps: 10 200 Track Size: 1 mile oval (dirt) 2 mile oval (asphalt) Car Frame Construction: Ash Metal Engine: 2-cylinder, 539 cubic inches 8-cylinder, 358 cubic inches Horsepower: 26-70 850 Winner's Purse: $1,000 and glass punch bowl $115,775 and trophy Avg. Race Speed: 45 mph 1 40 mph (approx.) Attendance: 8,000 70,000 (est.) Winner: Henry Ford ????????

-source: ford racing