Ford Performance annouces Mustang Cup series and schedule with season finale to run at Veterans Race of Remembrance 2025

• Debuting in 2025, the Mustang Cup series will act as a starting point in the Ford Performance sports car racing ladder for novice racers.
• Mustang Cup will provide opportunities to advance into Mustang Challenge with the same Mustang Dark Horse R and from there, potentially up to a Mustang GT4 if successful
• Sanctioned and operated by USAC, Mustang Cup will run in conjunction with other USAC operated series over 6 doubleheader weekends in central and eastern U.S.

DEARBORN, Mich., August 15, 2024 – Ford Performance continues to expand its sports car racing options to now include novice racers looking to get on the first rung of the racing ladder with the announcement of the new Mustang Cup.

Mustang Cup, an entry-level racing platform starting the spring of 2025, bridges the gap between track days and the Mustang Challenge series. Sanctioned by the United States Auto Club (USAC), Mustang Cup offers a professionally organized, club-level racing environment for novice and hobby racers using the Mustang Dark Horse R race car.

“We are excited to introduce Mustang Cup as an additional avenue for racing enthusiasts to pursue their passion,” said Ford Performance Global Motorsports Director Mark Rushbrook. “Mustang Cup is a foundational starting springboard in our global sports car racing program, and it also offers advancement into Mustang Challenge, Mustang GT4 and Mustang GT3.”

Mustang Cup will offer Dark Horse R owners a professionally run, “club level” atmosphere to develop the fundamentals of organized racing on private USAC operated race weekends, alongside other USAC series and events.

“Today, we’re thrilled to announce, with Ford Performance, the launch of the Ford Mustang Cup, a groundbreaking series designed to empower club level racers with the tools and environment to elevate their skills amidst a professional racing atmosphere” stated Kevin Miller, USAC CEO. “This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering talent and pushing the boundaries of grassroots racing. We are looking forward to the series debut next April in New Orleans.”

Unique to Mustang Cup is the option of a two-driver format. Each race in a doubleheader format will count towards separate championships – the Miles Cup and Parnelli Cup – allowing two drivers to pursue separate championships or one driver to compete in both. Like the Mustang Challenge, a Dark Horse Legends class will be available for competitors over a certain age, which will be announced at a later time.

Drivers with a current club racing license from accredited sanctioning bodies will be recognized and issued a USAC Mustang Cup license. Drivers without a racing license, but who have track experience and wish to race in Mustang Cup, may obtain a nationally recognized club racing license from a number of accredited racing schools, in order to receive an equivalent USAC Mustang Cup license.

Race Format / Schedule

Each race weekend will feature three 30-minute practice sessions, two separate 15-minute qualifying sessions and two 40-minute races.

The 2025 Mustang Cup schedule consists of six events:

· April 11-13 (Louisiana): NOLA Motorsports Park

· May 16-18 (Texas): Circuit of The Americas

· July 4-6 (Missouri): Ozarks International Raceway

· August 8-10 (Wisonsin): Road America

· October 17-18 (Connecticut): Lime Rock Park

· November 7-9 (Virginia): Virginia International Raceway (Veterans Race of Remembrance)