Ford Performance, the racing division of Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, is hosting a season launch event Wednesday for what it calls the most ambitious racing program in its history.
The event, which will feature more than 40 drivers from all of the racing series in which Ford competes, will take place at 7 p.m. at the Fillmore Theatre in Charlotte, N.C., and be livestreamed on the automaker’s YouTube channel.
In 2024, Ford will be participating in several international sports car series with the new Mustang GT3. It also will debut the Mustang Challenge series.
Ford brings the new Mustang Dark Horse to NASCAR in 2024. In addition, the company will be involved in NHRA drag racing and has begun to ramp up its Formula 1 engine program, which will hit the track in 2026 with Oracle Red Bull Racing.
The season launch event takes place prior to the Jan. 27 start of the Rolex 24 at Daytona sports car race at Daytona International Speedway. The green flag drops on NASCAR’s Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum on Feb. 4 at the Los Angeles Coliseum, and the drag racing season starts with the PRO Superstar Shootout, Feb. 8-10, at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida.
Among the drivers expected to participate in the season launch event are reigning NASCAR Champion Ryan Blaney,
“We’re excited to debut this new Mustang Dark Horse this year,” says Blaney, who drives for Team Penske. “I’m really pumped because Ford did an amazing job with it. I can’t wait for this to debut and drive it at the Coliseum and, hopefully, I can be the one to get the first win. That would be a cool accomplishment.”
Former NASCAR Champion Joey Logano, up-and-coming NASCAR driver Halie Deegan, Ford LeMans champion Joey Hand and his Mustang GT3 teammates Dirk Müeller and Harry Tincknell, and Ford NHRA driver Bob Tasca III also are expected to attend.
