USA Today via Reuters
Jul 30, 2022; Speedway, Indiana, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) during practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jul 30, 2022; Speedway, Indiana, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) during practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Perhaps the biggest allure of NASCAR is the fact that the race cars are very identical to the ones fans can actually buy. Those are the foundations of the sport, something they were able to revive this year with the Next Gen car.
Because the new cars are as close as they can get to the stock cars while also being race cars.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
However, judging from the reactions of fans after Ford released their new Mustang, the one drivers like Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, and Kevin Harvick would pilot in 2024, it doesn’t seem like the aspect of allure applies here.
After a picture of what would be Ford’s Cup car in 2024 emerged online, fans united in agreement over how bad it looks.
Why does it look like that
— Ephraim Vorzman MAX IS WORLD CHAMPION (@Saints_Jimmy) September 15, 2022
that is…. Uh. Terrible v
— :/ (@phazelol4) September 15, 2022
i… don't know if i like this.
— TailsJSECodyCobiJDFlintDLand91RobbyNoonanfan93 (@TailsNASCARFan9) September 15, 2022
Looks electric lol
— Zachary Smith (@ZSTN1998) September 15, 2022
So mid
— stenhousegang (@flinglingmchin1) September 15, 2022
Downgrade
— Fast Racey Stuff Doodle Boy (@gmal1996designs) September 15, 2022
🤮🤮🤮
— Eric Myers 🏁🏆🏆 ( Rowdy Nation / Team Larson ) (@chevyracingfan) September 15, 2022
ew
— Matt Chaffe (@ax4x_matt) September 15, 2022
WATCH THIS STORY: Names of 4 NASCAR Teams in the Kyle Busch Saga Reportedly Exposed & None of Them is Hendrick Motorsports – Fans React
Why is the new Ford Mustang entering NASCAR in 2024 and not 2023?
The plain and simple reason why the new Mustang won’t debut in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2023 is simply that Ford will start rolling out the car to their customers in the summer of 2023 only.
In fact, ’24 is the target for the brand to update the existing generation of Mustang across the racing leagues in the world, including NASCAR.
“2024 is the target to actually update to this new seventh-generation Mustang,” Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance said. “We’re going to keep building them and selling them around the world and racing them around the world, too.”
“[The 2024 Cup car will] be based on the new seventh-generation Mustang.”
via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 05: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #6 Violet Defense Ford, drives during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
As for how different the road car version of the new Mustang would be from the outgoing one, Rushbrook emphasized on how the new one is more modern and up-to-date with current technological trends.
“A lot more screens and space and better interface and experience for the driver and passengers,” he described. “Then everything underneath it, in terms of continuing to update and refine the engine, the driveline, the chassis dynamics.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
With this said, are you planning to buy the new Ford Mustang next summer?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Let us know in the comments below.
