he "race that changed the world" occurred on October 10, 1901, when Henry Ford defeated Alexander Winton, the most accomplished automobile builder/racer of the era.  During a 10-lap race at the Detroit Driving Club in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Ford overcame his more powerful rival in "Sweepstakes", a racing car of his own design. 

The acclaim from that race, the only one Henry Ford ever drove, brought him one giant step closer to achieving his dream: to manufacture a vehicle that was strong, dependable, lightweight, and inexpensive. He founded the Ford Motor Company two years later – in June, 1903 - spawning a series of advancements in automotive design, mass production, and marketing that made the automobile a mainstream consumer product.

The "Sweepstakes" now on display is an exact replica of the original car. This is one of two replicas built by Ford Racing engineers for the 100th anniversary of the 1901 race (on loan from "Ford Racing") .