WDB - News

DAN DAVIS: BIOGRAPHY

Title: Director,
Ford Racing
Technology,
Dan Davis with
Mark Martin.

DETROIT, Mich., 2005-03-21 WDB. ... Dan Davis is director, Ford Racing Technology, and oversees Ford’s North American auto racing efforts. He was named to his current position on Oct. 31, 1997.

The Ford Racing Technology organization is responsible for major racing operations in North America, including NASCAR (Nextel Cup, Busch Series, Craftsman Truck), the Champ Car World Series, Grand American sports car racing, NHRA drag racing and USAC midget and sprint car racing. In addition, FRT has responsibility for furthering grass roots racing efforts and young driver development.

Davis’ organization also oversees development and marketing of Ford Racing Performance Parts, and the marketing of the Ford Racing brand, through initiatives such as Team Ford Racing.

In Davis’ years at the helm, the Ford Racing program has seen numerous victories and championships, most notably back-to-back NASCAR Nextel Cup titles in 2003-04 and eight consecutive titles in the NHRA Funny Car class.

His most recent position before taking over this assignment had been as executive director, Quality, Ford Automotive Operations.

He joined Ford Motor Company in 1976 as a project engineer with Ford’s Aerospace and Communications Electronics Division, and has held a variety of product engineering, manufacturing, purchasing and business positions within the components divisions, powertrain operations, car product development, and Ford Automotive Operations.

From 1991-93 he was director of vehicle controls and powertrain products for Ford Electronics Division, where he was also responsible for motorsport engineering programs in the following areas:

Formula One—All vehicle, engine control and telemetry systems for the Bennetton-Ford program.
CART—Engine control and telemetry for the Walker Racing CART program.
NASCAR—Telemetry program for NASCAR television broadcasts.
SCORE off-road—Transmission controls and engine management for Ford trucks.
IMSA road racing—Engine management and telemetry with Roush Racing.

Davis’ previous experience includes worldwide responsibilities as executive director, Quality, FAO; executive director, Manufacturing Procurement Operations, Purchasing; director of Subsystems Engineering, Automotive Components Division; and general manufacturing manager, Electronics Division, where he oversaw seven manufacturing plants in seven different countries.

Davis developed the Ford thick film ignition module and the European Automotive Operations low-cost hybrid electronic spark control module. He received the 1983 Henry Ford Technological Award for his work.

Davis holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from General Motors Institute (1972) and studied the Advanced Management Program in 1993 at Duke University.