The all-new 2024 Mustang GT made its NASCAR pace car debut last weekend when all three of NASCAR’s top touring series competed at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, VA.
2024 Mustang GT Nascar Pace Car
Ford says the Grabber Blue Mustang GT pace car that hit the track is stock, other than pace car visibility items that include the light bar and custom Ford Performance and Mustang exterior graphics.
Photo credit: Ford.
“We’ve had great success racing Mustang globally, including winning last year’s NASCAR championship,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “Racing leads to better-informed development of products, and seeing the all-new Mustang GT setting the pace at NASCAR make this connection even stronger with our customers and fans.”
It's the first of seven NASCAR races that the seventh-generation Mustang GT is scheduled to pace in 2023. The others include Talladega (April 21-23), Dover (April 29-30), Darlington (May 12-14), Nashville (June 23-25), Chicago (June 30-July 2) and the annual Labor Day Weekend at Darlington (Sept. 1-3).
Most Powerful Mustang Ever
The new 2024 Ford Mustang GT is the most powerful yet. When equipped with the fourth-generation Coyote V8 engine and available active-valve performance exhaust system, the Mustang GT coupe and convertible will deliver 486 horsepower and 418 ft.-lb. of torque. Ford says it also delivers custom sound too with the ability to close the valves to restrict the amount of noise made by the car.
The standard Mustang GT delivers 480 horsepower - which is still the most standard power in a naturally aspirated V8-powered Mustang ever. It also has the most standard torque ever as well at 415 pound-feet.
4th-generation Coyote V8
The fourth-generation Coyote 5.0-liter V8 features a segment-first, dual intake and dual throttle body induction system that’s matched with structural improvements and upgraded oil pan. Ford says this helps minimize induction loss by enabling higher air flow rates.
For Mustang GT and Mustang Dark Horse, horsepower and torque ratings are the same for automatic and manual transmissions.
Along with the V8 engine, the Ford GT lineup also offers a 2.3-liter EcoBoost.
Design
The Mustang GT features a horizontal brow across the front to emphasize its wide stance, while the upper grille design shape is influenced by the original Mustang’s 1960s design. Tri-Bar LED headlamps are a hallmark of the Mustang’s classic lighting signature. Ford says the sleek roofline, broad sprinting stance and shortened rear overhang are also true to the authentic proportions of the first generation. Widened rear haunches point to the power over the wheels in true Mustang style.
Ford says the roofline is optimized for driver entry and exit, so the driver doesn't need removing their helmet on the track. An extended rear deck houses a new crisp signature tri-bar lighting and redesigned diffuser for improved aerodynamic balance in the rear.
Mustang and NASCAR
Ford says when it comes to racing Mustang in NASCAR, Brad Keselowski leads all active Ford drivers with two NASCAR Cup Series wins at Martinsville while defending champion Joey Logano has one victory and five poles.
Overall, Ford has registered 30 all-time victories at the half-mile paperclip-shaped oval, which began hosting NASCAR races in 1949.
Photo Credit: Ford .