Kevin Kennedy, who has worked with some of the greatest names in Ford Racing history as director of Ford Racing public affairs, was presented the prestigious Spirit of Ford Award in a surprise ceremony today as part of the annual Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour. The Spirit of Ford Award is Ford Motor Companys highest honor in auto racing, recognizing lifetime achievement and contribution to the industry both on and off the race track. Kennedy becomes the 25th recipient, joining an international list of honorees from all forms of racing and racing media. He was recognized in a surprise presentation by Edsel B. Ford II, great-grandson of company founder Henry Ford and a member of the companys board of directors. In addition to his duties with Ford Racing, Kennedy is Executive Vice President at PCGCampbell, a marketing communications agency that was founded in 1982 as Campbell & Co. in conjunction with Ford Motor Companys corporate reentry into professional motorsports. In addition to the Spirit of Ford, Kennedy was also recognized for his excellence in motorsports public relations by the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) with the Jim Chapman Award in 2006. Spirit of Ford Awards Winners Bill Stroppe, 1988 Bob Glidden, 1989 Chris Economaki, 1990 Richard Petty, 1992 Bob Bondurant, 1993 Mario Andretti, 1994 Jackie Stewart, 1994 Bud Moore, 1995 Parnelli Jones, 1996 Jim Clark, 1997 Phil Hill, 1998 Stirling Moss, 1998 Bill France, Sr., 1998 Bill France Jr. 1998 Junie Donlavey, Jr., 1999 Glen Wood, 1999 Leonard Wood, 1999 Dan Gurney, 1999 Denise McCluggage, 2000 Bill Elliott, 2000 Carroll Shelby, 2001 Wally Parks, 2001 Ned Jarrett, 2003 Mose Nowland, 2005 Jack Roush , 2006 John Force, 2010 Kevin Kennedy, 2011 (Ford Racing)(2-1-2011)
