Ford Mustang Cup Series: A New Playground for Speed Junkies
The Mustang Cup gets ready to race in Spring 2025
So, you love Mustangs? You dream about them? You got posters of them in your garage? Well, buckle up because Ford just cranked the excitement up a notch with the Mustang Cup Series—a brand-new racing series where the only thing faster than the cars will be the stories guys tell at the track afterward.
How Did This Whole Thing Start?
You know Ford—they’ve been in the speed business since before most of us could spell “horsepower.” But this? This is something new. Beginning in the spring of 2025, the Mustang Cup Series will give weekend warriors and aspiring pros a shot at racing in a structured, entry-level competition. It’s kinda like getting to play baseball in Yankee Stadium—except, instead of a bat, you’re gripping a 500-horsepower, track-ready beast.
Ford Performance teamed up with USAC (United States Auto Club) to put this thing together, giving regular folks a real shot at getting on the track. No, you won’t be going up against NASCAR legends just yet, but hey, one step at a time.
What’s the Game Plan?
So here’s how it works. Six race weekends, each featuring:
- Practice sessions: Three 30-minute sessions which allow drivers to get their car and race craft dialed in.
- Qualifying: Two 15-minute sessions—just enough time to separate the speed demons from the Sunday drivers.
- Races: Two 40-minute battles where it’s every Mustang for itself.
And where are these races happening? Only some of the coolest tracks in America:
- NOLA Motorsports Park (LA) (April 11-13)
- Circuit of the Americas (TX) (May 16-18)
- Ozarks International Raceway (MO) (July 4-6)
- Road America (WI) (August 8-10)
- Lime Rock Park (CT) (October 17-18)
- Virginia International Raceway(VA) (November 7-9)
That’s a solid mix of historic circuits and modern speed playgrounds. If you can’t find a track here to get excited about, maybe stick to go-karts.
The Mustang Dark Horse R: The Star of the Show
Now, you might be wondering—what’s everyone driving? You don’t just show up with your Uncle Dave’s ‘93 Mustang GT and hope for the best. This series is all about the Mustang Dark Horse R, a purpose-built track weapon.
This isn’t your neighbor’s daily driver—this is a full-on racing machine. It’s got:
- A naturally aspirated 5.0L V8 pushing out over 500 horsepower.
- A Borla® Racing Exhaust that makes every downshift sound like a thunderstorm.
- Brembo™ brakes big enough to stop a freight train.
- Multimatic DSSV dampers, because handling is just as important as power.
In short? It’s mean. It’s loud. It’s fast. Exactly what you’d want in a Mustang Cup race car.
Who’s Racing?
So, who’s gonna be behind the wheel? You could be. That’s right—this series is designed for:
- New racers looking to build experience in a competitive environment.
- Enthusiasts who want to take their weekend track days to the next level and test their skills against others racing in the Mustang Dark Horse R.
The goal here is to develop talent and give folks a real stepping stone into the world of competitive motorsports. Do well here, and you could move on to compete in the Mustang Challenge or even pro-level series down the road.
Ford’s Master Plan
Ford Performance is thinking long-term. The Mustang Cup Series is the entry point into their racing pyramid. You start here, move up to the Mustang Challenge, and maybe—just maybe—end up in something even bigger, like GT4 racing.
It’s like going from beer league hockey to the NHL, except with more tire smoke and fewer missing teeth.
Final Thoughts
Look, if you love Mustangs and you’ve always wanted to race one for real, this is your chance. The Mustang Cup Series is giving everyday speed junkies the kind of access that was once reserved for pros and factory-backed drivers.
So, grab your helmet, practice your victory speech, and get ready to chase some checkered flags. This is Mustang racing the way it was meant to be—fast, competitive, and a whole lot of fun.