Ford is bringing its Mustang model to the NASCAR Cup Series beginning in 2019, Ford Motor Co. revealed Tuesday, confirming a move that had been speculated for some time.
Ford Mustang coming to NASCAR Cup Series in 2019
The muscle car will be Ford’s car of choice in NASCAR’s top division beginning next season.
Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images
Ford Motor Co. has run the Mustang muscle car body style in the Xfinity Series, NASCAR’s No. 2 division, since 2011 to much success and fanfare, and Ford drivers have recently indicated the manufacture would have a new car in the Cup Series in the near future to replace the Fusion. The move follows Chevrolet introducing its own muscle car, the Camaro, to NASCAR’s top series this year.
Ford engineers in conjunction with its primary NASCAR teams, Roush Fenway Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, and Team Penske, are still in the initial testing phase of designing the Mustang for the Cup Series. The manufacturer must formally submit the car to NASCAR for final approval this summer, then Ford will unveil the car publicly.
The Fusion is the oldest model competing in the Cup Series between Camaro and Toyota’s Camry, which was redesigned prior to the 2017 season. The Mustang will be Ford’s fourth body style in the Cup Series during NASCAR’s modern era (1972-present), joining the Thunderbird, the Taurus, and the Fusion.
Ford fields 13 entries in the Cup Series, spread amongst six teams: Roush, SHR, Penske, Front Row Motorsports, Go Fas Racing, and Wood Brothers Racing. The manufacturer has a series-best four wins in eight races this season, with six drivers ranked 10th or better in the points standings.
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