The 2024 Ford Mustang GT is hitting the track this weekend, but it won’t be competing. Instead, the redesigned coupe will be serving as a pace car at the Martinsville Speedway in Virginia.
Dressed in Grabber Blue, the model sports a blacked out grille which makes its pony emblem virtually invisible. That’s probably not the best marketing move, but there’s no shortage of Ford and Mustang graphics on the side.
We can also see a black rear spoiler and black wheels, which contrast with blue Brembo calipers. Ford didn’t go into many specifics, but noted the car is “stock other than pace car visibility items that include the light bar.”
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Since it’s stock, the car features a fourth-generation 5.0-liter Coyote V8 that benefits from structural improvements, an upgraded oil pan, a dual throttle body induction system, and a dual intake. Thanks to the changes the engine develops 480 hp (358 kW / 487 PS) and 415 lb-ft (562 Nm) of torque, which is an increase of 30 hp (22 kW / 30 PS) and 5 lb-ft (7 Nm).
If that isn’t powerful enough, customers can free up some extra ponies with the optional active-valve performance exhaust system. It increases the output to 486 hp (362 kW / 493 PS) and 418 lb-ft (566 Nm) of torque.
While this is the first pace car outing for the 2024 Mustang, it certainly won’t be the last. Quite the opposite as the model is slated to pace Talladega (April 21-23), Dover (April 29-30), Darlington (May 12-14), Nashville (June 23-25), and Chicago (June 30-July 2). It will then return to Darlington for the Labor Day weekend race in September.
