Mustang Mach-E to Make NASCAR Pace Car Debut at Talladega

[hybrid2bev]

• The all-electric Mustang Mach-E will make its NASCAR debut this weekend as pace vehicle for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
• This is the second time Ford has had an all-electric vehicle pace a NASCAR event.
• Mustang Mach-E was named North American Utility of the Year by an independent group of 50 journalists from the United States and Canada.

DEARBORN, Mich. – The Mustang Mach-E, Ford’s dynamic all-electric SUV, will be making its NASCAR debut this weekend when it serves as pace vehicle for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.

This will mark the second time Ford has had an all-electric vehicle pace a NASCAR event. The first time came in 2012 when the manufacturer made NASCAR history by having its Focus electric perform all pace car duties for the Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.

“We have always tried to use our presence in NASCAR to show off our dynamic and innovative vehicle lineup, and that continues this weekend with our all-electric Mustang Mach-E,” said Jeannee Kirkaldy, motorsports marketing manager, Ford Performance. “We feel this car not only stays true to Mustang’s great heritage but carries on its legacy in a modern way that we think fans and our loyal enthusiasts will embrace.”

The Mustang Mach-E has already made a strong impression in the marketplace, being named the North American Utility of the Year in January by an independent group of 50 print and broadcast automotive journalists from the United States and Canada as a first-time entrant.

“When I drove the Mustang Mach-E, it was instant power and way better than I thought or expected,” said Matt DiBenedetto, driver of the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series for Wood Brothers Racing. “It was something that I one-hundred percent wanted to own for myself or my wife because when you hop in the car it’s nice and quiet, and the throttle response is so instant. It was a blast. It will make a great pace car.”

Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney has won two of the last three Cup Series events at Talladega and is the defending champion of this weekend’s 500-mile event. Overall, Ford has dominated in recent years at NASCAR’s biggest track, having won nine of the last 11 races, which includes a stretch of seven straight from 2015-18.

The Geico 500 is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Eastern time and will be televised live on Fox. To learn more about Mustang Mach-E, visit Ford.com/suvs/mach-e.

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[ChasingCoral]

Have they modified the software to remove the 111 mph limit?

 

[hybrid2bev]

Have they modified the software to remove the 111 mph limit?

I think the pace car only does 70 mph. Good range test? LOL

 

[mixduptransistor]

Weird crowd to put this in front of. Would've expected this in California, Vegas, or maybe Michigan

 

[Woeo]

Have they modified the software to remove the 111 mph limit?

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/mac-speed-186-km-h-autobahn.2998/

 

[GoGoGadgetMachE]

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/mac-speed-186-km-h-autobahn.2998/

yeah that's about 115 MPH, in the same general ballpark. I don't believe we've seen one go above that limit but some folks have validated that the US spec tops out about there.

 

[Raymondjram]

I have set my DVR to record the race this Sunday, so I can see the Mach-E and skip the ads.

 

[BMT1071]

Weird crowd to put this in front of. Would've expected this in California, Vegas, or maybe Michigan

I think it makes more sense to show it off in front of a crowd that is currently less likely to be familiar with or embrace BEVs.

 

[Hplbiking]

I think it makes more sense to show it off in front of a crowd that is currently less likely to be familiar with or embrace BEVs.

If ever there was a "not a mustang" crowd it would be NASCAR fans.

 

[Jimrpa]

Too bad it couldn’t have been Daytona ?

 

[Bookworm214]

Need those Mustang and Mach-E graphics for my Rapid Red MME. ?

 

[Maric]

I hope the driver has thick skin.

 

[ChasingCoral]

I hope the driver has thick skin.

And the car has a good 12v battery and latest software.

It would be really embarrassing for this to pop up:

 

[buzznwood]

It is not like the public are going to be driving the pace car, so a bit surprised that they are using a premium and not the GT as that should appeal to the crowd a lot more. Didn't even need to be a real GT just put the bumper and wheels or use one of the GT mules. Also would have been prefect timing with the GT order banks opening up.

 

[EV Lab]

Have they modified the software to remove the 111 mph limit?

I'm pretty sure it's limited by the small front motor...

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