Just like the Camaro which has been chosen as the official safety car of this year’s Indy 500, the new 2011 Ford Mustang has been given the job as the pace car of Daytona 500. It is for the first time in 40 years that a Ford car paces the NASCAR season-opening race, and it’s a Race Red glass roof Mustang GT Coupe with a 5.0 liter 412 hp V8.
The one-of-a-kind model will feature a special Daytona 500 paint scheme, Ford Racing suspension, strut tower brace and mufflers, unique painted wheels, and special interior treatment, including specially branded lit sill plates. The 2011 Mustang GT Daytona 500 Pace Car model is one of only 50 special editions that will be built and sold to the public.
“Having the opportunity to pace America’s biggest auto race with a Ford icon like the 2011 Mustang GT is truly an honor,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford North America Motorsports. “And to have the new 5.0-liter engine powering the car will be a great way to demonstrate its power and class-leading fuel economy.”
One other great thing about this special pace car is the fact that it’ll be auctioned off for charity at this year’s Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona and all proceeds over the manufacturer’s suggested retail price from the pace car auction will go to help cure childhood diabetes through a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
