Ford Racing has announced its 12-driver lineup for the inaugural Veterans Day Classic at Daytona International Speedway, set for November 11.
In collaboration with IMSA, NASCAR, Blue Star Families, and HSR, Ford is bringing together motorsports and military support in a brand new event honouring service members, veterans, and their families.
Ford has a long history of standing alongside the U.S. Military, building submarine chasers during World War I for the U.S. Navy, as well as a continued “Arsenal of Democracy” during World War II when the blue oval produced tanks, jeeps and even B-24 Liberator bombers on their assembly lines.
Ford’s continued support of American veterans is evident through their modern initiatives, hiring veteran and supporting military families. This Veterans Day, Ford celebrates these values through an exciting cross-series racing event.
The event honours the six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces specifically, with two-driver lineups representing each branch. Ford drivers from a variety of the racing series the blue oval participates in, including IMSA, SRO, WEC, NASCAR series, Formula Drift are set to compete.
Racing to honour the Army branch (pictured top) will be Joey Hand, race winning Ford factory driver and longtime IMSA competitor, sharing the car with Brad Keslowski, NASCAR Cup Series driver who took a fifth place finish at Daytona this season.
Representing the Marines is Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series champion in 2023, alongside Ben Hobson of Formula Drift fame with the American manufacturer.
For the Navy branch, Ryan Preece, Cup Series driver, lines up with Logan Sargeant, future Ford Hypercar driver in WEC in 2027.
On behalf of the Air Force is recently crowned 2026 GT4 America AM class champion Frankie Muniz and Austin Cindric, Cup series competitor with Team Penske.
For the Space Force branch, Noah Gragson and Layne Riggs, competitors in the NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series respectively.
Rounding out the six car entry list is the Coast Guard car with Joey Logano and Ty Majeski aboard, also competing in the Cup Series and Truck Series, respectively.
The race begins at 9 p.m. ET November 11, following a 30-minute practice session at 12:15 p.m. ET, with a 15-minute qualifying session to set the grid at 6:45 p.m. ET.
