Edsel B. Ford II is regarded as the “Godfather” of Ford racing as well as one of the biggest supporters of auto racing as a worldwide sport. He served at Ford Motor Company in product planning, marketing and sales, and as the President of Ford Australia and President and CEO of Ford Motor Credit, as well as serving on the Ford Motor Company Board of Directors for 33 years before his retirement. Needless to say, Edsel B. Ford II is an industry legend, and he has recently been named as a Bob Russo Heritage Award winner at the 2024 Induction Ceremony for the Motorsport Hall of Fame of America.
The Bob Russo Heritage Award is one of the highest honors that the MSHFA offers, second only to actual induction. Named for longtime motorsports journalist and historian Bob Russo, it signifies recognition of the honoree’s contributions to motorsports.
“The word legend is often over-used in sport, but Edsel Ford, who we all know as ‘The Godfather’ has earned that title,” said Jim Farley, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company. “For decades, Edsel has been the architect and chief supporter of Ford Performance Motorsports. Through the tough times and the good times, Edsel has been steadfast in his support for Ford teams around the world. I know how much all our teams value it when Edsel is at the track and when he can’t be, he’s the first to reach out to offer his congratulations or support. This honor from the MSFHA could not go to a better recipient and all of us at Ford want to say thank you to Edsel for all he has done for the sport, and for us.”
Ford has been interested in auto racing since first attending a race with his father, Henry Ford II, in 1966 when he was just 17 years old. Other racing enthusiasts will likely recognize the year, as he was lucky enough to be present for one of the most iconic races in the history of the sport, the 1-2-3 finish of Ford GT40s at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He was also present for the Ford GT’s return victory at Le Mans 50 years later, and his love and commitment to the sport carried him through all of those decades and into the present day.
“Outside of my family, the sport of motor racing has been one of the great passions of my life and to be honored by the MSHFA in this way is humbling,” Ford said. “I have said many times that the sport produces such amazing people and personalities, and it’s been my honor to have been around so many of the people who have been inducted into this Hall of Fame, and, better yet, to consider so many of them my friends.”
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