Team pairs with Ford Drive One program and David Gilliland

David Gilliland

(Nashville, Tenn.) August 14, 2008 – Baker Curb Racing and Ford Motor Company’s Drive One Program are both proud of their rich heritage and history in the realm of motorsports. This weekend, the two will team up to go racing at the historic Michigan International Speedway in the Carfax 250 on Saturday.

Sporting the Ford Drive One paint scheme, the No. 27 Baker Curb car, will be piloted on the track by Sprint Cup driver David Gilliland, his first race in the car this season. Tennessee native Jeff White assumes the helm as crew chief for the first time this season as well.

“We are elated to have Baker Curb Racing use the Drive One paint scheme this weekend at Michigan,” said Doug Hervey, Operations Manager, Ford Racing Technology. “By having this grassroots marketing program represented on the car, it not only shows our partnership with the race team, but also shows Ford’s commitment to our customers. The Drive One program tells Ford’s story of our advancements in quality, environment, safety and technology on the road. The partnership with Baker Curb helps us strengthen this program and our loyalty to Ford customers. ”

Ford's racing heritage spans over 100 years, beginning when founder Henry Ford defeated Alexander Winton in a 10-lap race at the 1-mile Detroit Driving Club oval at Grosse Pointe, Mich., in 1901. The Company’s involvement with motorsports has continued to grow and strengthen throughout the years.

Gilliland, driver of the No. 38 car in the Sprint Cup Series, is also looking forward to the new partnership with Baker Curb.

“This is a great opportunity for me,” said Gilliland. “The Baker Curb team is ready for this weekend. They have built a strong car that I know I will be able to race to the front. I will do my best to represent the team, the Ford Drive One program, and my fans. I’m just ready to go racing on Saturday.”

The Baker Curb race team brings a strong and diverse history to racetracks throughout the nation. Team owners Gary Baker, Nashville attorney and businessman, and Mike Curb, prominent record producer and song writer, both hold solid resumes in the motorsports realm. Baker, a former track owner, and Curb, a former car sponsor and owner, have extensive racing experience on both the Sprint and Nationwide series levels. .

Baker owned Bristol Motor Speedway from 1978-1983 and the Nashville Superspeedway from 1979-87 when it hosted two Sprint Cup races a year. Curb’s career, spanning over 40 years of racing, is highlighted by his involvement with the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Petty. Curb sponsored Earnhardt’s 1980 Sprint Cup Championship car and owned the famous Petty #43 when it pulled into Victory Lane for his 200th win at Daytona in 1984. Curb, who was serving the State of California as Lt. Governor, hosted President Ronald Reagan at the Daytona Pepsi 400 to view Petty’s crowning achievement.

Baker Curb racing and driver David Gilliland will run the No. 27 Drive One Ford at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday. The green flag drops at 3:30pm with coverage on ESPN.