For the first time, Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn is bringing its annual Ford Racing Season Launch to Detroit, specifically Michigan Central Station, on Jan. 15, 2026.
The event, typically conducted at the Ford Racing Technical Center in Concord, N.C., outside of Charlotte, is being staged in Detroit in conjunction with the media and industry days of the Detroit Auto Show.
“It’s a powerful statement, complementing the energy of the 2026 Detroit Auto Show happening the same week, truly making Detroit the global hub of automotive excitement,” says Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Racing. “This iconic landmark, steeped in the city’s spirit of grit, perseverance, and undeniable love for cars, is the perfect place to kick off an epic year on the track and in the dirt.”
Ford says every facet of its global racing program will be on display at the renovated train station including NASCAR, Mustang endurance sports car racing, and the automaker’s off-road teams that tackle the Dakar and Baja deserts. Ford will be joined by what it calls “a star-studded lineup of drivers,” alongside employees, dealers, team owners, and fans.
Participants in the Jan. 15 event also will get an exclusive sneak peek at an all-new Ford Racing production road car.
“Our vision for Ford Racing is not just a concept; it’s a tangible reality, and we genuinely cannot wait to share the true scale of our ambition,” Rushbrook says.
Ford’s return to the Formula 1 after a 22-year absence also will be highlighted as Red Bull hosts its own season launch where they will reveal the liveries of the cars that will bring Ford back to the F1 grid.
“This Red Bull launch is a celebration of a journey that has been several years in the making,” Rushbrook says. “It’s the official introduction of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains inaugural power unit — the beating heart of Ford’s return to the pinnacle of motorsport.”
In Related News: The Detroit Auto Show announced that Racing Day presented by the Detroit Grand Prix will return to the annual automotive showcase on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, featuring some of the top stars of motorsports, world-class race cars, and interactive experiences throughout the course of the day.
In 2026, Racing Day will expand from the 2025 edition with:
- More interactive fan moments on the concourse and show floor, including photo opportunities, “Winner’s Circle” activations, autograph sessions and hands-on touchpoints.
- A fuller track experience on the indoor course that honors some of the iconic landmarks featured on the actual Detroit Grand Prix street circuit, including production-vehicle ride-alongs with world-class drivers (driver lineup and ride windows to be announced).
- Enhanced programming on the main show floor stage, including Q&As and a panel featuring voices from the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, as well as the broader racing community (full schedule to be announced).
- Iconic race cars and artifacts, including vehicles representing the NTT IndyCar Series and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship that compete annually on the streets of the Motor City at the Grand Prix.
Beyond Racing Day, the Detroit Grand Prix will have displays on both the concourse and the show floor, video content, historic imagery, community engagement, and displays of high-performance open-wheel and sports cars throughout the public days of the 2026 Detroit Auto Show.
DATES FOR THE 2026 DETROIT AUTO SHOW:
- Media and Industry Days – including Mobility Global Forum and the AutoMobili-D Technology Showcase – Jan. 14-15, 2026
- Charity Preview, Jan. 16, 2026
- Public Show, Jan. 17-25, 2026
- Racing Day, Jan. 20, 2026
