Factory Mustangs to Run 125th Anniversary ‘Sweepstakes’ Livery

Photo: Ford

Ford Racing will celebrate its 125th anniversary with a special livery on its two IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD Pro class entries in this weekend’s season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans.

Unveiled on Monday, the team’s familiar blue and white colors will be replaced by a design drawing from ‘Sweepstakes’ — the first-ever Ford race car that company founder Henry Ford took to victory on Oct. 10, 1901 in a ten-mile race in Grosse Pointe, Mich.

Notable elements of the livery include the use of the original Ford Motor Company logo as well as a nod to Ford’s 1903 founding date, while the pair of factory Mustang GT3 EVO entries will shift to a more modern aesthetic once the sun goes down over Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

Dubbed the “Glow Pony” version 2.0 from Ford Racing’s manager of on-road racing and product marketing Scott Bartlett, the cars will be illuminated at night, displaying the American flag in black and gold colors, acting as a nod to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Bartlett explained that the ode to ‘Sweeepstakes’ came about during a visit to the Henry Ford museum last year when it delivered the customer Myers Riley Motorsports its Mustang GT3.

“We delivered a heritage livery right across from the Sweepstakes display,” said Bartlett. “I thought this could be something cool to blend and fun to put together, and working with the Ford Archives, we made it happen.”

“Everything we do in racing is a gamble. But without Henry Ford taking a risk on Oct. 10, 1901, we wouldn’t be able to watch the Ford Mustang GT3 wearing the colors of Sweepstakes at Petit Le Mans on Oct. 3, 2026.

“To this day, we live by his example. You have to push the limits and sometimes put it all on the line to create the
future. That is what we do at Ford Racing.”

The No. 65 Ford pairing of Christopher Mies and Fred Vervisch, who will be joined in the car by Ford Hypercar driver Seb Priaulx this weekend, head into Petit Le Mans fourth in the GTD Pro standings, 124 points behind, but still with a mathematical chance of the title.

The sister No. 64 entry, which is coming off its first class win of the season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will be driven by Dennis Olsen, Ben Barker and Mike Rockenfeller.

Photo: Ford

Photo: Ford

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John