In 1987 Ford had reconfigured the Thunderbird Superspeedway body shell, replacing the familiar "coffin-shaped" classic grille with a sleeker, smoother nose and hood. One of NASCAR's top drivers and a former "Rookie of the Year", Alan Kulwicki took advantage of the new aerodynamic Ford by turning in one of his "winningest" seasons driving one. By the end of 1987, he had secured three pole positions, nabbed 2nd place in the Summer 500, and ended up in 15th place for the year.

For over two decades the #90 Ford team had been owned and managed by the ageless W.C. "Junie" Donlevy. During these years, he has trained several big name stars who were on their way up the ladder of professional stock car racing, Drinving the Donlevy Thunderbird, Kenny Schrader won Rookie of the Year honors in 1985. Later Red Baron Pizza joined the team and Schrader showed spectacular progress finishing in the top ten in the 1987 Season points race.