Michael Kranefuss
Encyclopedia
Michael Kranefuss is a German former head Ford Motor Company
's International Motorsports division for 12 years. After leaving Ford, he became a NASCAR
team owner.
's worldwide racing efforts from 1980 to 1993 as their Director of Special Vehicle Operations. At that time, Ford was the only manufacturer to be involved in World Rally Car
s, NASCAR
, Formula One
, and Champ Car
. Kranefuss began working for Ford in 1968 as an assistant for Ford's German Competition Department. He became Ford's German manager 1972 when he developed on the Ford Capri
. The Capri won two European Touring Car Championship
s and he became Ford's European head in 1976. Ford joined the World Rally Car
and won the 1979 championship with a Ford Escort. When he started, he resurrected Ford racing from a single IMSA
sports car.
, who drove the #37 Ford for the team in 1995 and most of 1996. In late '96 Kranefuss's team and Cale Yarborough
's team essentially swapped drivers as Jeremy Mayfield
took over driving the #37 and Andretti started driving for Cale's #98 team. For 1998, Kranefuss merged his team with Penske Racing
and the team changed their car number to #12 to more closely match Penske's flagship #2 car. Late in the 2001 season, Jeremy Mayfield was fired with 8 rounds remaining in the year. Mike Wallace
, Rusty
's younger brother, was brought in to finish the season in the #12 car. At the end of the year, Penske bought out Kranefuss's interest in the #12 team and put Ryan Newman
in the #12 car full-time for 2002. As an owner, Kranefuss won 3 victories - all under the Penske-Kranefuss banner and with Mayfield driving.
businessman Michael Kranefuss. The team debuted in 1994 at Michigan as the #07 Ford driven by Robby Gordon
. The car started and finished 38th after Gordon crashed on lap 70. After another start with Geoff Brabham
at the Brickyard 400, the team went full time in 1995 with John Andretti, a second-year driver. The car became #37 and was sponsored by Kmart
and Little Caesars
. Andretti won the pole at the Mountain Dew Southern 500 and finished 18th in the points. The team struggled in 1996. Before the season ended, Kranefuss decided change was needed, and replaced Andretti with the relatively unknown Jeremy Mayfield.
The team improved to be 13th in the points in 1997, but it was obvious the team would not succeed if it only fielded one team. In 1998, Kranefuss announced his team would merge with Penske Racing, and would also change to the #12 with Mobil Oil sponsoring the car. The move turned out to be a success, and Mayfield became the next big star. He won the pole at Texas, and at one point in the season, found himself in the points lead. At the Pocono 500
in June, he won his first Winston Cup series race. Mayfield's breakout year in Winston Cup ended with a 7th place finish in the points. Mayfield struggled in 1999, as he did not win and dropped 4 spots in the points. In 2000, he won the Pocono 500 and California 500
. Midway through the season, Kranefuss sold his share of the team to Penske. Mayfield then suffered a concussion while practicing for the Brickyard 400. He missed two races recuperating from his injury and finished 24th in points. In 2001, Mayfield posted seven top-10 finishes, but was fired following the race at Kansas. Rusty Wallace's little brother Mike took over, and came close to winning at Phoenix before settling for second place to Jeff Burton
. Surprisingly, Penske announced the #12 team would close after the season, and the owner's point would be transferred to his new team, for which Ryan Newman
was chosen as the driver.
Later, Kranefuss founded Falcon Cars with Ken Anderson
in 2002, with the plan of entering a chassis into the IndyCar Series
in 2003. However, the car never ran and the company quickly folded.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
's International Motorsports division for 12 years. After leaving Ford, he became a NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
team owner.
Ford Motor Company
Kranefuss led Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
's worldwide racing efforts from 1980 to 1993 as their Director of Special Vehicle Operations. At that time, Ford was the only manufacturer to be involved in World Rally Car
World Rally Car
World Rally Car is a term used to describe racing automobiles built to the specification set by the FIA, the international motorsports governing body, and used to compete in the outright class of the World Rally Championship...
s, NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
, Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
, and Champ Car
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
. Kranefuss began working for Ford in 1968 as an assistant for Ford's German Competition Department. He became Ford's German manager 1972 when he developed on the Ford Capri
Ford Capri
Ford Capri was a name used by the Ford Motor Company for three different automobile models. The Ford Consul Capri coupé was produced by Ford of Britain between 1961 and 1964. The Ford Capri coupé was produced by Ford of Europe from 1969 to 1986...
. The Capri won two European Touring Car Championship
European Touring Car Championship
The European Touring Car Championship was an international touring car racing series organised by the FIA. It had two incarnations, the first one between 1963 and 1988, and the second between 2000 and 2004...
s and he became Ford's European head in 1976. Ford joined the World Rally Car
World Rally Car
World Rally Car is a term used to describe racing automobiles built to the specification set by the FIA, the international motorsports governing body, and used to compete in the outright class of the World Rally Championship...
and won the 1979 championship with a Ford Escort. When he started, he resurrected Ford racing from a single IMSA
International Motor Sports Association
The International Motor Sports Association is an American sports car auto racing sanctioning body based in Braselton, Georgia. It was started by John Bishop, a former employee of SCCA , and his wife Peggy in 1969 with help from Bill France, Sr...
sports car.
NASCAR career
Kranefuss's original NASCAR driver was John AndrettiJohn Andretti
John Andretti is an American race car driver. He has won in CART, IMSA GTP, Rolex Sports Car Series and NASCAR. He was the last NASCAR driver to win a Cup race for the famous Petty Enterprises team.-Andretti family:...
, who drove the #37 Ford for the team in 1995 and most of 1996. In late '96 Kranefuss's team and Cale Yarborough
Cale Yarborough
William Caleb "Cale" Yarborough , is a farmer, businessman and former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver and owner. He is one of only two drivers in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships...
's team essentially swapped drivers as Jeremy Mayfield
Jeremy Mayfield
Jeremy Allen Mayfield is a former NASCAR driver who last competed in 2009 due to legal troubles and an indefinite suspension by NASCAR. Prior to 2009, Mayfield drove cars for the Sadler Brothers, T.W. Taylor, Cale Yarborough, Michael Kranefuss, Roger Penske, Ray Evernham, Bill Davis, and Gene Haas...
took over driving the #37 and Andretti started driving for Cale's #98 team. For 1998, Kranefuss merged his team with Penske Racing
Penske Racing
Penske Racing is a racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series and NASCAR. They also previously competed in road racing, and Formula One. Penske Racing is a division of Penske Corporation, and is owned and chaired by Roger Penske...
and the team changed their car number to #12 to more closely match Penske's flagship #2 car. Late in the 2001 season, Jeremy Mayfield was fired with 8 rounds remaining in the year. Mike Wallace
Mike Wallace (NASCAR)
Mike Wallace is a NASCAR race car driver born in Fenton, Missouri. He currently drives the #01 Chevrolet for JD Motorsports in the Nationwide Series. He is a younger brother to Rusty Wallace, older brother to Kenny Wallace, and uncle to Steve Wallace...
, Rusty
Rusty Wallace
Russell William Wallace, Jr. is a past NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, currently a broadcaster on ESPN, car owner in the Nationwide Series, and a co-host of NASCAR Angels.-Early racing career:...
's younger brother, was brought in to finish the season in the #12 car. At the end of the year, Penske bought out Kranefuss's interest in the #12 team and put Ryan Newman
Ryan Newman
Ryan Joseph Newman is a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He drives the #39 United States Army/Tornados/Haas Automation Chevrolet Impala for Stewart Haas Racing under crew chief Tony Gibson. Newman graduated from Purdue University in 2001 with a B.S. in vehicle structure engineering...
in the #12 car full-time for 2002. As an owner, Kranefuss won 3 victories - all under the Penske-Kranefuss banner and with Mayfield driving.
Car #12 History
The first #12 team for Penske was not always owned by the team. Originally the car was owned by GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
businessman Michael Kranefuss. The team debuted in 1994 at Michigan as the #07 Ford driven by Robby Gordon
Robby Gordon
Robert W. "Robby" Gordon is an American racecar driver who currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as an owner-driver, driving the No. 7 Speed Energy Dodge Charger for Robby Gordon Motorsports, and also competes part-time in the Nationwide Series...
. The car started and finished 38th after Gordon crashed on lap 70. After another start with Geoff Brabham
Geoff Brabham
Geoff Brabham is an Australian racing driver. He is the son of three-time Formula One World Champion Jack Brabham. Brabham spent the majority of his racing career in the United States. He raced successfully in CART early in his career. In ten appearances in the Indianapolis 500, with a best result...
at the Brickyard 400, the team went full time in 1995 with John Andretti, a second-year driver. The car became #37 and was sponsored by Kmart
Kmart
Kmart, sometimes styled as "K-Mart," is a chain of discount department stores. The chain acquired Sears in 2005, forming a new corporation under the name Sears Holdings Corporation. The company was founded in 1962 and is the third largest discount store chain in the world, behind Wal-Mart and...
and Little Caesars
Little Caesars
Little Caesars is a pizza chain, estimated to be the 4th largest in the United States. The Little Caesars headquarters is located in the Fox Theatre building in Downtown Detroit, Michigan.-History:...
. Andretti won the pole at the Mountain Dew Southern 500 and finished 18th in the points. The team struggled in 1996. Before the season ended, Kranefuss decided change was needed, and replaced Andretti with the relatively unknown Jeremy Mayfield.
The team improved to be 13th in the points in 1997, but it was obvious the team would not succeed if it only fielded one team. In 1998, Kranefuss announced his team would merge with Penske Racing, and would also change to the #12 with Mobil Oil sponsoring the car. The move turned out to be a success, and Mayfield became the next big star. He won the pole at Texas, and at one point in the season, found himself in the points lead. At the Pocono 500
Pocono 500
The 5-hour Energy 500 is the first of two stock car races held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule in mid-June, the other being the Pennsylvania 500, usually held in early August. The Pocono 500 replaced a 400-mile race at Texas World Speedway on...
in June, he won his first Winston Cup series race. Mayfield's breakout year in Winston Cup ended with a 7th place finish in the points. Mayfield struggled in 1999, as he did not win and dropped 4 spots in the points. In 2000, he won the Pocono 500 and California 500
Auto Club 500
The Auto Club 400 is a long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. Prior to 2005, the race was held in late April or early May, and until 2010, the race was run at a length of 500 miles. When the NASCAR Realignment of 2005 was made, the race...
. Midway through the season, Kranefuss sold his share of the team to Penske. Mayfield then suffered a concussion while practicing for the Brickyard 400. He missed two races recuperating from his injury and finished 24th in points. In 2001, Mayfield posted seven top-10 finishes, but was fired following the race at Kansas. Rusty Wallace's little brother Mike took over, and came close to winning at Phoenix before settling for second place to Jeff Burton
Jeff Burton
Jeffrey Brian "Jeff" Burton , also referred to as JB or The Mayor, is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver who drives the #31 Caterpillar Chevrolet Impala for Richard Childress Racing. Burton is the younger brother of Ward Burton, who is a former Sprint Cup driver...
. Surprisingly, Penske announced the #12 team would close after the season, and the owner's point would be transferred to his new team, for which Ryan Newman
Ryan Newman
Ryan Joseph Newman is a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He drives the #39 United States Army/Tornados/Haas Automation Chevrolet Impala for Stewart Haas Racing under crew chief Tony Gibson. Newman graduated from Purdue University in 2001 with a B.S. in vehicle structure engineering...
was chosen as the driver.
Later, Kranefuss founded Falcon Cars with Ken Anderson
Ken Anderson (motorsport)
Ken Anderson is an American motorsport engineer, operating over the course of his career in motocross, Champ Car, Formula One, IRL and NASCAR.-US F1 Team:...
in 2002, with the plan of entering a chassis into the IndyCar Series
IndyCar Series
The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing. The current championship, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George, began in 1996 as a competitor to CART known as the Indy Racing League . Citing CART's increasing reliance on expensive machinery and...
in 2003. However, the car never ran and the company quickly folded.