Ford hoping new engine can help resilient manufacturer break through at Michigan

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New engine gives Ford drivers new hope

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Ford has found a way to get back on its feet in the showroom. Getting back on top in NASCAR is taking a little longer.

A Ford engine hasn’t reached Victory Lane in the Sprint Cup level since the fall race at Talladega, a span of 18 events.

Though Ford drivers Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle are in the top 10 in points heading into Sunday’s race at Michigan, there remains plenty of work to do.

Owner Jack Roush says the new FR9 engine the drivers will use this weekend is “marginally better” than the previous motor Ford drivers used and the onus is on teams to start coming through.

Roush hopes to turn things around this weekend at a track where his cars have won 11 Cup races, tied for the most all-time at the two-mile track.