Ford’s 2027 NASCAR Mustang gets a Dark Horse SC makeover
Words: Kyle Cassidy
Ford has unveiled its 2027 NASCAR Cup Series Mustang at Daytona, giving the race car a new nose modelled on the road-going Mustang Dark Horse SC.
The resemblance serves a purpose on both cars. Ford says the front-end design improves cooling on the road car, while the Cup version uses the shape to generate more downforce.
Ford has yet to put a number on how much extra downforce the new race body generates.
“Racing makes our road cars better, and our road cars make our race cars better,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Racing.
Team Penske, RFK Racing and Front Row Motorsports will run the updated Mustang in 2027. Ford has won three Cup titles since the Mustang joined the series full-time in 2019, with Joey Logano taking the championship in 2022 and 2024 and Ryan Blaney winning in 2023.
Daytona hosts the pre-season Clash on 13 February and the qualifying Duels on 18 February, ahead of the first points race of the season, the 69th Daytona 500 on 21 February local time. Among the drivers lining up against the new Mustangs will be Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen, who returns in Trackhouse Racing’s No. 97 Chevrolet.
Ford unveiled the car at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America during its inaugural Veterans Day Classic. The charity race put 12 Ford drivers into six two-driver teams in Mustang Dark Horse Rs, with proceeds going to support US military personnel, veterans and their families.
