Ford Racing Unveils Mustang NASCAR Race Car
The Mustang race car, based on the Dark Horse SC model, will compete in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Motorsports
Ford Racing unveiled its Mustang Dark Horse SC NASCAR race car on Wednesday at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inside Daytona International Speedway. The car is based on the Dark Horse SC production model and is scheduled to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027.
Why it matters
The unveiling extends the Mustang's presence in the Cup Series, which it entered in 2019 and where it has won three drivers' championships. Ford Racing believes the new car will help the team win races and championships in the years ahead.
The Mustang has won three Cup Series drivers' championships since entering the series in 2019, with Joey Logano winning in 2022 and 2024 and Ryan Blaney in 2023. Race-specific output figures for the new car have not been disclosed.
The players
Ford Racing
The motorsports division of Ford Motor Company, responsible for the company's competition programs including its NASCAR Cup Series effort.
Joey Logano
A NASCAR Cup Series driver who won Mustang-powered championships in 2022 and 2024.
Ryan Blaney
A NASCAR Cup Series driver who won a Mustang-powered championship in 2023.
Zane Smith
A NASCAR driver who is the only driver to have tested the new Mustang race car so far.
The details
Race engineers worked alongside Ford designers to build the car, incorporating key elements from the Dark Horse SC production model. The race car features an aggressive nose designed to optimize aerodynamics, and Zane Smith is the only driver to have tested it so far.
Timeline
2019: Ford Mustang enters the NASCAR Cup Series.
January 2026: Mustang Dark Horse SC introduced during preseason launch.
November 11, 2026: Race car unveiled at Daytona International Speedway.
2027: Mustang race car scheduled to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Season Trajectory
The Mustang's Cup Series program, which began in 2019, has already produced three drivers' championships, and this new race car extends that run into 2027. Ford Racing expects the car to help the team compete for more race wins and titles in the coming years.
The new Mustang race car gives Cup Series fans a current-generation Ford entry to follow beginning in 2027. Fantasy and team-tracking audiences can watch how the Mustang program performs against rival manufacturers once it begins racing.
The takeaway
The Mustang's three championships since 2019 show how a manufacturer's race program can build momentum over time. Watching the new car's first full season will show whether that record continues.
What happens next
The Mustang race car is scheduled to make its NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2027.
Further reading
For more on the Cup Series, explore the latest Motorsports coverage.
