Ford To Begin Running Mustang In Nationwide Series Next Season

Pemberton Says Eventual Plan Is To Integrate New Mustang For Entire '11 Schedule

Ford will run its Mustang model in the NASCAR Nationwide Series beginning with a limited schedule next season. The automaker has received the official NASCAR approval for the new car, and once the templates are finalized, production of Mustang parts will begin. The Mustang will join the Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series and the F-Series in the Camping World Truck Series as Ford’s entries in NASCAR’s three major circuits (Ford). NASCAR VP/Competition Robin Pemberton said that the “eventual plan is to integrate the new car for the entire 2011 schedule.” Ford Racing Technology Dir Brian Wolfe said NASCAR and the automaker saw the introduction of the Mustang as a "way of differentiating the series from Sprint Cup" (K.C. STAR, 7/28). In Detroit, Mike Brudenell notes Mustang “has enjoyed a rich history in motorsports since its introduction in 1964,” but it has "never competed in NASCAR." Wolfe: “I guess we scratched our heads why we didn’t do this before. We are definitely now bubbling over about the thought of 2010.” The Mustang might run as “early as February at Daytona” (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 7/29).

MUSCLING THEIR WAY IN: ESPN.com’s Terry Blount reported Dodge next season “will run the Challenger as its new Nationwide car, but Chevrolet reportedly will run the Impala SS, the same cars it uses in Cup.” NASCAR officials “asked Chevrolet to race the Camaro.” Meanwhile, Toyota officials have said that they “plan to use the Camry (which is its Cup car) but it could be the Solara version of the Camry” (ESPN.com, 7/28).