The Mustang does look somewhat like the street version. What happens on high speed ovals remains to be seen as NASCAR rules are highly flexible and sponsor oriented.
Ford today revealed its all-new Mustang NASCAR Cup race car; the first time Mustang will attempt to compete in NASCAR’s top-level Cup racing series starting at the 2019 Daytona 500 in February. Mustang has been competing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series since 2011 and has won a championship in all but one season. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won back-to-back driver’s championships in 2011 and 2012, while Roger Penske has claimed the owner’s title in four of the last five years.
Mustang’s first official competition was in 1964 when it won – against smart money – the Tour de France Automobile, a 4,000 mile, 10-day rally. Soon after, it began racing legacy in SCCA Trans-Am. IMSA, NHRA, Formula Drift and NASCAR Xfinity – NASCAR’s second tier series followed as Ford wandered in and out and back into racing over the decades.
“Ever since we announced in April that Mustang would be going to the Cup level in 2019, we’ve heard nothing but positive feedback,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports.
Ford Design and Ford Performance worked carefully to “translate Mustang’s signature style to meet NASCAR decal racing rules. The car does look like the street version, what happens on ovals and road courses remains to be seen.
All 13 Ford drivers currently competing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series were on hand for the unveiling for employees at the company’s World Headquarters, along with team owners and NASCAR executives.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Mustang Running in NASCAR Cup Starting at Daytona 500
The Mustang does look somewhat like the street version. What happens on high speed ovals remains to be seen as NASCAR rules are highly flexible and sponsor oriented.
Ford today revealed its all-new Mustang NASCAR Cup race car; the first time Mustang will attempt to compete in NASCAR’s top-level Cup racing series starting at the 2019 Daytona 500 in February. Mustang has been competing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series since 2011 and has won a championship in all but one season. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won back-to-back driver’s championships in 2011 and 2012, while Roger Penske has claimed the owner’s title in four of the last five years.
Mustang’s first official competition was in 1964 when it won – against smart money – the Tour de France Automobile, a 4,000 mile, 10-day rally. Soon after, it began racing legacy in SCCA Trans-Am. IMSA, NHRA, Formula Drift and NASCAR Xfinity – NASCAR’s second tier series followed as Ford wandered in and out and back into racing over the decades.
“Ever since we announced in April that Mustang would be going to the Cup level in 2019, we’ve heard nothing but positive feedback,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports.
Ford Design and Ford Performance worked carefully to “translate Mustang’s signature style to meet NASCAR decal racing rules. The car does look like the street version, what happens on ovals and road courses remains to be seen.
All 13 Ford drivers currently competing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series were on hand for the unveiling for employees at the company’s World Headquarters, along with team owners and NASCAR executives.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.