What’s New in 2010? Mustang Pace Car
By Sheri Vegas on Jan 20, 2010 in Motorsports, Nascar Sprint Cup, Nationwide series, Racing
Meet the 2011 Mustang GT, the official pace car for the 52nd Running of the Daytona 500.
photo credit: fordracing.com
Ford Motor company announced Tuesday the new 2011 Mustang GT will start “The Great American Race” on February 14th at Daytona International Speedway.
“Everybody loves Mustang,” said Jamie Allison, Director of Ford North America Motorsports. “That was evident last year from the fan reaction when we announced it was going to be our new model in the NASCAR Nationwide Series starting later this year. This is just another way to showcase a true American icon in its most natural environment.”
The Mustang will debut in the Nationwide Series for 4 races this upcoming season before making the move to full-time competition next year. Although the Mustang is known for its competitive racing in other series, it’s the first ever venture in NASCAR in the iconic namesake’s 45 year history.
50 special edition 2011 Daytona 500-themed Mustang GT models will be built and sold to the public. This year’s actual Daytona 500 pace car will be auctioned off at the 39th Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Collector Car Auction with proceeds being donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. “King” Richard Petty, winner of seven Daytona 500 races, will be on hand on January 23rd to help with the auction and meet the highest bidder. Roush-Fenway Racing Ford driver, Carl Edwards will also attend the event.
Let’s take a look at the new 2011 Ford Mustang GT. The new model features:
- the all-new 5.0 liter four-valve Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing v-8 engine
- 412 horsepower
- specifically tuned Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS)
- 11.5 inch front and 11.8 inch rear vented disc brakes
- enhanced suspension
Believe it or not, it has been 40 years since a Ford served as pace car for the Daytona 500. For your trivia knowledge, a Ford Torino GT convertible brought the field to the green in the 1970 Daytona 500.
For more details, check out Ford Racing on-line at www.1fordracing.com/fordracing
