DEARBORN, Mich — NASCAR team owner Jack Roush received the highest honor the Ford Motor Company bestows in racing when he was presented with the Spirit of Ford Award last week at the company's world headquarters.

Edsel B. Ford II made the presentation during a pep rally involving many of Ford's NASCAR drivers, who competed Sunday at Michigan International Speedway.

"Through and through, Jack has proven to be dedicated, hardworking, competitive and innovative," Ford said. "In short, he's what this company is all about. His loyalty to Ford, in this day and age, means more than you know."

Roush was hired as an engineer at Ford in 1964, but got the racing bug when he joined a group called The Fastbacks two years later.

"That was the beginning," recalled Roush.