NOAKER: Know-How Delivers Inaugural Title

By: Robert Noaker

When we saw Ford Performance announced a spec-series around the Dark Horse R, we were “all in.”

We gravitated toward the high horsepower of Mustang, but also that teams cannot out-spend others to perform better in a one-make series.

As a family-owned team, that was the appeal to Mustang Challenge – everyone is on an equal playing field, and it comes down to the driver and preparation.

That became apparent when we got the cars for the first time. We immediately went testing – straight from Detroit to PittRace for a two-day shakedown and then four intense days at Mid-Ohio ahead of the first event.

We converted those 16-plus hour days into pole position and a win in both races, which set the tone for the championship.

The following race weekend, Watkins Glen International, was one that I’ll always remember. It was all-out to the end in the last 35 minutes. Along with my teammates, Tyler Maxson and Reid Sweeney, we were all doing qualifying laps.

Everyone extracted the maximum from their cars, and yet still pushing 110 percent.

Robert Noaker Racing swept the podium in the fourth race of the season – a feat I knew we were capable of doing, but actually achieving it was something else.

You can either set the car up for short or long run pace. You usually don’t have two different strategies going on simultaneously, especially in a 45-minute race, but that’s what made Mustang Challenge unique.

Perfect example: I pulled a six second gap on Tyler in Indy, but then when his car came in, mine fell off. We ended up having a photo finish across the line which was unforgettable.

I’ve been close to championships before – too many second places to count and a lot of those decided by single-digit points.

It was so special to be able to do it as not only a driver but also a team, especially seeing the elation of the crew after so many long nights and early mornings. It’s beyond words.

Having the backing from Ford was major. There will be some hiccups with a first-year car and a new series, but they listen. They took the advice and criticism from their customers, and continually pushed out a better product throughout the year.

There were little changes each race, whether it was to make the car more reliable or the racing better.

This makes me excited for our title defense in 2025. I’m also looking forward to racing Le Mans.

That’s one of those bucket list tracks that many people, even if you could afford it, wouldn’t be able to with the limited number of series that run there. To have that opportunity, with a car you know, is beyond anything I could have imagined.