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New trophy for the FORD EcoBoost 400: It's a trophy Henry Ford himself would love. The winner of this Sunday's Ford EcoBoost 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be taking home a trophy, but in this case, the new trophy represents a unique part of Ford Racing history. For the first time, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Ford Racing collaborated on a special race winner's trophy unlike any other in the sport. The trophy features an exact replica of the steering wheel of Henry Ford's first race car - the 1901 Sweepstakes racer - which is on display at Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich. Mr. Ford drove Sweepstakes to an upset victory in his one and only race on Oct. 10, 1901, a win that helped attract the investors who would help him start Ford Motor Company in June, 1903. "We're pleased that the winner of the Ford EcoBoost 400 will get such a unique trophy," said Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford board of directors and great-grandson of Henry Ford. "The steering wheel visually represents the start of the Ford Racing program 113 years ago, and the winner of it will need to do the same thing great-grandfather did that day - defeat the best drivers in America." In addition to the steering wheel on the top, the base of the trophy features a plaque that includes an engraving of Henry Ford and his riding mechanic - Spider Huff - in action from 1901.(Ford Racing)(11-14-2014)

Chase Elliott ready for Cup but: Chase Elliott hasn't turned 19 yet, and the Nationwide Series champion already could be ready for a Sprint Cup ride. Even Rick Hendrick, who has Elliott under contract, thinks in some ways Elliott was ready to run at least some Cup races before he earned his first Nationwide win in April. "I told the guys before he ever ran this year, I said I believe I can put him in the World 600 (at Charlotte), and he'd finish 15th because he's just that smooth and fast and knows how to use his head," Hendrick said. But Hendrick has no room to put Elliott in a Cup car for 2015. And he knows that for a young driver, defending the Nationwide title won't be a bad thing. "I think we have got to wait a little bit longer, but he's really impressed me," Hendrick said. So expect Elliott, who turns 19 later this month, to run a full season for JR Motorsports next season as part of the original two-year deal with sponsor NAPA Auto Parts. He also could run a select number of Cup events, a maximum of seven with Hendrick Motorsports but no limit if Hendrick allows him to run for another organization. The big question is where Elliott will race in 2016. Kasey Kahne's contract is up after 2015. Jeff Gordon hasn't said when he will retire, but there is sponsorship signed on his car through 2016. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson aren't going anywhere. "I don't know what tomorrow brings so I have no idea what the future has in store for myself or our team or whatever," said Elliott, son of former Cup champion Bill Elliott. "The biggest thing is just make the most of what is going on right now and let it figure itself out. Me thinking about or worrying about it ain't going to change it. So the best thing I can do is just focus on what is going on on the racetrack and make sure your mind is there 100% each weekend. Hopefully next season we're able to go and have the same result and championship with some more wins."(Sporting News)(11-14-2014)