John Shiels

Mustang kicks way into NASCAR racing
Alisa Priddle / The Detroit News

The Ford Mustang is making its NASCAR track debut Friday night.

The pony car will compete at the Subway Jalapeno 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series at Daytona. There will be at least one Dodge Challenger in the field, as well.

To sweeten the pot, Ford Motor Co. said Monday that any Ford driver who wins Friday will be rewarded with a 2011 Mustang GT.

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"Mustang and its debut in NASCAR is undoubtedly a huge story for fans and enthusiasts, and we want to make its debut a little more special for our drivers competing in the race," said Jamie Allison, director of Ford North America Motorsports. "With a win, they have a chance to put their name down next to some of the Mustang racing legends."

apriddle@detnews.com (313) 222 - 2504

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...#ixzz0sIQ6ax00

John Shiels

I wonder if they will just say Mustang and Challenger or people can tell them apart.

02QSZ06

They actually look different. Too bad Chevy didn't switch to the Camaro instead of still using the Impala. It would be awesome to see Camaros, Mustangs, and Challengers all racing together.

Bink

This is fantastic for the fans and Nascar.

joemoia

AFAIK its just a different frontclip/front sheet metal tacked on to the existing NNS chassis/body. IMO a better idea would be to take the GA prep 2 versions of the pony cars and make them the NASCAR "Cars of Tomorrow".

I'm glad GM decided not to bastardize the shape of the Camaro for the sake of NASCAR

waddisme

I thought the old Trans Am series cars were cool. I know the COT is safer and probably less expensive, but I hate them and I don't think it is a good thing for NASCAR. At least you would think they would make them drive straight down the straight a ways. The Toyota thing I don't have a problem with I guess. Harry Gant is from where I live and I see him out every now and then. I asked him a couple of years ago what he thought of Toyota racing in NASCAR and he said they may as well race the Honda Odessey as well..

02QSZ06

I knew I like Harry Gant for a reason!

Everett Ogilvie

They say the new Nationwide cars front ends will be different so you can distinguish the cars, and they say this will eventually go to the Cup cars as well.

F4Gary

So are they gonna change the name to Trans Am? Just another bastardization of IROC....er...NASCAR.

TLGunman

The NW CoT looks pretty good to me, especially when compared to the Cup CoT. Under the skin they are very similar, but the noses, and side styling effects make them look much more like what you see on the street. I've seen them all up close, and I think the fans will like the looks of them more.

Rob31

GM already did that to the Camaro. . I like my 69
Mopar and Ford did pretty good going Retro . Chevy missed

Glennm27

That's Cool! I've always loved Mustangs....

Everett Ogilvie

Watching qualifying of the new Nationwide cars at Daytona - they look better then the current Cup COT for sure - my favorite is the new Challenger;

0Anthony @ LGMotorsports

Can't tell from the pictures but they look to be the same car, just different engines and stickers?

Everett Ogilvie

There are actually some differences (front, quarters etc.). Here is a pdf with some early pics and you can note some differences;

https://nascar-assets.americaneagle....ews/189596.PDF

BFoster

The Penske Challengers look great! Mustang doesn't look too bad either. I like the Impala in the NNS better than the cup series.

Everett Ogilvie

Pretty exciting race - MAN those cars are loose! Drivers are working their tails off. Cars look good.

Everett Ogilvie

Wow, the best possible outcome tonight with the winning car!


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Rob31

Fell asleep during one of the thouand or so comercials , missed the last half .

TLGunman