Peter Miles Named Grand Marshal for HSR Daytona Classic 24 Hour

Peter Miles, son of the late sports car racing ace Ken Miles, has been named grand marshal for the 12th running of the Historic SportsCar Racing (HSR) Classic Daytona 24 Hour Presented by Mission Foods, set to run Nov. 11-15, 2026, at Daytona International Speedway (DIS).

Ken Miles’ Ford Legacy

Fittingly, Ford is the featured marque for the five-day Daytona meeting that celebrates multiple generations and levels of sports car racing, event officials stated in a press release. Ken Miles was closely associated with the iconic automaker as the key development driver for Carroll Shelby and Shelby American. He is credited with spearheading Ford’s historic overall victory in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, as portrayed in the award-winning 2019 motion picture “Ford vs. Ferrari” that starred Christian Bale as Miles.

Earlier in 1966, Miles and Lloyd Ruby co-drove Shelby-prepared Ford GT Mk II cars to overall victories in the Daytona 24 Hours and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

“I’m very proud and excited to be offered the opportunity to be part of the HSR Classic Daytona Classic 24 Hour,” said Peter Miles. “It’s an honor that I very much appreciate, not only for my father and for me, but also for Ford. My father’s name was well-known in the 1960s, but that had progressively faded until the Ford vs. Ferrari movie came out. A lot of things have happened that helped put him back into the spotlight since then, and I’m grateful for all Ford has done in that regard.”

The 60th anniversary of Ford’s successful 1966 sports car racing season that netted overall victories at Daytona, Sebring, and Le Mans and the International Manufacturers Championship will be celebrated at the HSR Daytona Classic 24 Hour. Another major milestone for Ford in 2026 is the 125th anniversary of Henry Ford driving his homebuilt “Sweepstakes” special to an important victory at Grosse Pointe Raceway in 1901 that led to the foundation of the Ford Motor Company.

Peter Miles: A Career in Motorsports

While Peter Miles never followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a racing driver, he spent much of his professional life in the automotive or motorsports industry, starting with a 15-year stint with Troutman & Barnes, the renowned builder of competition and custom cars. He later joined Cal Wells and his Precision Preparation Inc. for a 15-year tenure where he served as a mechanic, engineer and crew chief for Ivan “Ironman” Stewart and Toyota trucks in the SCORE off-road racing championship.

“I love motorsport but must admit I have a special penchant for vintage racing,” said Miles. “I have a great deal of respect for the people who dedicate themselves to the challenge of making cars as reliable as they are fast for 24-hour endurance races. Many of the cars are also simply beautiful, and I have worked for a gentleman taking care of his private car collection for vintage racing. I’m looking forward to taking in the sights and sounds at Daytona in November.”

“We are privileged to have Peter join us as the Grand Marshal for the HSR Daytona Classic 24 Hour,” stated HSR President John Doonan. “Ken Miles is a hero to many who grew up as sports car racing enthusiasts, and he has gained a new generation of fans in recent years as awareness has grown about his accomplishments as an engineer and a driver. I’m sure it will be very emotional for Peter to return to Daytona International Speedway, on the 60th anniversary of one of his father’s greatest victories.

“The excitement surrounding Ford vs. Ferrari contributed to the recent growth of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and sports car racing around the world, and Historic SportsCar Racing is enjoying a similar golden period.”