DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 22, 2026) – Jim Farley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ford Motor Company and a member of Ford’s Board of Directors, has been named the 2025 recipient of the RRDC Bob Akin Award. He was honored at the annual Road Racing Drivers Club members’ dinner on January 21st, prior to the running of the 64th Rolex 24 At Daytona, the season opener of the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Each recipient of this special honor, one that is widely considered as the top prize in motorsports for amateur, vintage/historic or semi-professional drivers, is selected by Akin’s son Bobby, along with RRDC members Brian Redman and Judy Stropus, with approval by RRDC president Bobby Rahal.
The distinctive trophy was conceived by RRDC in 2003 to honor the memory of longtime RRDC member and past president Bob Akin, who lost his life following a testing accident a Road Atlanta in 2002.
The perpetual award was designed by Steuben Glass in Corning, New York, and is given to a driver who best exemplifies the extraordinary qualities and characteristics that Akin represented, including a passion for motorsports and automobiles, a high level of sportsmanship and fair play, and who has contributed to the sport of motor racing and the community at large.
The perpetual award, etched with the names of its recipients, is displayed at the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, New York. Each honoree receives his/her own smaller replica.
As Ford’s CEO, Farley is focused on transforming Ford to lead the digital evolution in the automotive industry. Under his leadership, in recent years Ford reorganized its business into three defined automotive segments: Ford Blue, for iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford “e,” for breakthrough electric vehicles and digital platforms for software that serves Ford’s full product line-up; and Ford Pro, for work-ready vehicles’ software and services that help commercial customers transform their operations. Separately, Ford is scheduled to introduce its 21st century Formula 1 engine this year, as new power for the 2026 Red Bull Formula 1 team racecars.
Prior to joining Ford in 2007, Jim Farley was group vice president and general manager of Lexus, and group vice president of the Toyota Division, important positions that readied him for his ultimate selection by Ford as their new and continuing CEO.
Beyond the workplace, Farley, as a collector and racer of vintage cars, can often be found on racetracks around the world competing in his 1965 Ford GT40, 1966 427 Cobra or 1978 Lola T-298 sports racing car. Jim also hosts DRIVE, a podcast that rekindles America’s love affair with cars, the influences they have on our lives and how our experiences with automobiles spirit us forward to succeed personally and professionally.
In addition to Jim Farley’s roles at Ford, he currently serves on the Board of Directors of Harley-Davidson and on the external advisory council for the JPMorganChase Security and Resiliency Initiative.
Jim is a graduate of Georgetown University and the Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles. He and his wife Lia have three Children.
“There are three basic tenets that make-up the Bob Akin Award and our winner truly lives-up to all three,” remarked Bobby Akin as he presented Jim Farley with the 2025 award: “First, a passion for motorsports; he is racing whenever he can.” Outside of his day job and family, getting behind the wheel is what drives Jim Farley. Multiple Le Mans Classic events and finishing 2nd in a Ford GT40, countless Monterey Rolex Reunion events, a Spa 6-hour event and more. Recently Jim drove in the Mustang Invitational at Le Mans and is racing here [at Daytona International Speedway] in this weekend’s HSR event.
“Second, a winner must have a career outside of racing. I think it’s safe to say that our 2026 winner has that covered.”
“Third and most importantly, the RRDC Bob Akin award winner must be a good human. I have known our winner for about 20-years and am proud to call him a friend. No matter how crazy busy he is, Jim always has time for his friends and family. A genuinely good guy! Please welcome Jim Farley.”
