VIDEO: Ford Performance Makes Multiple Announcements at 2024 Season Kick-Off Event

As Ford Performance embarks on the most ambitious global racing program in company history, Ford has revealed more details about the season ahead at its first-ever season kick-off event in Charlotte. Read more below about when and where we will be racing Mustangs around the world, as well as updates on off-roading and Formula 1. 

See the All-New NHRA Funny Car

Ford Performance launches into the 2024 NHRA Funny Car season by introducing the Mustang Dark Horse Funny Car. Ford's latest racing powerhouse embraces the iconic Dark Horse name, joining the elite ranks of the racing stable. 

The Mustang Dark Horse Funny Car signifies the perfect fusion of power, speed, and a legacy of excellence that defines Ford Performance in the world of NHRA racing.

Continuing to merge peak performance with horsepower in one of drag racing's top classes, last season, Bob Tasca III recorded the fastest time at 1,000 feet by Mustang (3.836 seconds) en route to his best career season finish. With Tasca leading a group of Ford Performance Funny Car entries in 2024, eyes are firmly set on the championship.

New NASCAR Xfinity Series Decals

The 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Mustang comes alive with an entirely new decal package, bringing to life the new Dark Horse model that has become synonymous with Mustang’s global racing program.  

These decals have gone through a rigid design center process that provides an accurate reflection of the Dark Horse name plate, including the iconic pony that has been darkened in the middle of the grille and official logo that is centered on the rear panel. 

The bottom line is that this year’s Xfinity Mustang is going to look even more menacing than before as Ford looks to win the series championship for a second straight season.

Ford Headed Back to Pikes Peak with New EV Demonstrator

Electric vehicle demonstrators have given Ford Performance engineers the opportunity to let their imaginations run wild and vehicles like Mustang Mach-E 1400 and SuperVan are the living embodiment of that.  

In 2024, Ford will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible taking SuperVan 4.2 to legendary tracks such as Bathurst. Ford will also return to the iconic Pikes Peak Mountain in June to take on the fabled twists and turns in a new (as yet unnamed) EV demonstrator. 

Lineup Announced for King of the Hammers 4400, 4600 Classes

Lineups are set for King of the Hammers race starting at the end of January in the 4400 unlimited and 4600 stock classes:  

4400 (Race of Kings): Loren Healy (No. 67), Jason Scherer (No. 76), Vaughn Gittin Jr. (No. 25), Bailey Cole   

4600 (Every Man Challenge): Loren Healy / Vaughn Gittin Jr. (No. 2567), Brad Lovell / Adam Lovell (No. 4621), Bailey Cole / Cole Johnson (No. 13) 

There will also be a Bronco customer camping and trail driving experience at King of the Hammers that allows Bronco customers to get closer to the action, managed by Bronco Nation. 

Mustang Ready to Race Around the Globe

The Mustang ladder of opportunity will also roar into life in 2024 as Mustang goes racing in every stratum of motorsport. At the grassroots level, the new one-make Mustang Challenge Series featuring the Dark Horse R starts in June in Ohio. The five-race series is heavily subscribed and with an innovative and exciting prize structure in place, the Mustang Challenge Series looks set to feature exciting new talent as well as experienced club racers from across America.  

In Mustang GT4, Ford will have seven cars competing in 2024 customer racing on two continents. And at the pinnacle of Mustang racing, the Mustang GT3 goes racing in IMSA, WEC and Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe with seven full-season cars racing in GT3 at any given time around the world.  

Mustang also continues to race in the Australian Supercars Championship with the season kick off in February at the iconic Mount Panorama for the Bathurst 1000. 

Ford Gives Formula 1 Update

Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner gave an update on the progress being made as Ford Performance and Red Bull Ford Powertrains work toward developing a new power unit for the 2026 season, which will see one of the most significant regulation changes in years. 

By pushing for greater levels of power generated from the electric motor – including a switch to a new carbon-free fuel as part of F1’s commitment to being net carbon zero by 2030 – these changes come as Red Bull Ford Powertrains work on an all-new power unit for both Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Alpha Tauri.

Horner said the exchange of ideas and technology are now flowing between the two organizations in the lead up to the new regulations. Key areas of focus for both teams include high-voltage propulsion systems, manufacturing of the internal combustion engine and turbo unit and working with Red Bull Powertrains on the electronics systems.