Ford sweeps every season opener at Daytona for 1st time in manufacturer's racing history

Out of beer and still wanting more, Ford executive Jamie Allison starting licking his arm outside victory lane.

Given the month Ford enjoyed at Daytona International Speedway, it's no wonder Allison and his guys emptied the cooler.

Ford swept every points race at Daytona, culminating with Joey Logano's victory in the Daytona 500 on Sunday. It was the first time the automaker had accomplished the feat.

"It feels great," said Allison, Ford's director of North American Motorsport. "I feel like every Ford employee and every Ford fan, just elation. How could you not be elated over spending a weekend in Daytona — this is kind of the Holy Grail — and to walk away with literally a sweep, you just pinch yourself. Dreams don't take you that far."

It's a reality now, thanks to the biggest win in Logano's career.

The driver nicknamed "Sliced Bread" held off a host of challengers over the final laps to give team owner Roger Penske his second Daytona 500 title.

Logano spent seven years trying to live up to impossible expectations after breaking into the Sprint Cup Series at 18. But after four lackluster seasons at Joe Gibbs Racing, Logano landed at Penske and rejuvenated his career.

Logano's run wasn't worry-free. Two Ford drivers — teammate Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney — blew engines in the race. That prompted questions and concern from just about everybody in Logano's pit, including Allison and several other Ford execs.

"I think everybody's fingers became crossed fingers," Allison said. "When you see two of those on the same team, you start to wonder. ... You don't know how it's going to turn out. At the end, we prevailed."

In every race, too.

Ford driver Tyler Reddick won the Truck Series season opener Friday night, ending Toyota's eight-year winning streak at Daytona. Ford's Ryan Reed followed that win with a victory Saturday in the Xfinity Series opener.

Throw in Chip Ganassi Racing's win in the Rolex 24 at Daytona last month, and it's been a Ford festival at the famed track.

"I think that's a pretty big deal for those guys," Logano said. "You deserve a high-five or something."

Allison would settle for a beer.

"This is sports, and in sports, momentum matters," he said. "And we have a momentum coming out of Daytona. So, you know, it feels great, all the teams feel great. At the end of the day, it will translate into confidence, which will manifest itself into coming out of the gate as fast as you can."