Mustang Cup Classic Class to Join Grid in 2026

Photo: Ford Racing

Mustang Cup North America will introduce a new class for next year, eligible for select previous-generation Mustang road race cars.

The USAC-sanctioned series, which will enter its second season, will debut the Mustang Cup Classic category, for cars dating back as far as 2005 and including the car that formed the basis of the first-generation Ford Racing Mustang Challenge series.

Eligible cars include the 2005-2010 FR500C, 2008 FR500S. 2011-2014 Boss 302R, 2012-2024 Boss 302S and 2017 FP350S.

The new class will run alongside existing Mustang Dark Horse Rs that compete in the current Dark Horse and Dark Horse Legends classes.

“This addition to the Mustang Cup series aims to further increase Ford’s involvement and investment in grassroots racing, which has played an important role in our past and will continue to play an important role in our future,” said Ford Racing global one-make manager Chris Ward.

“This class will celebrate the rich racing history of this millennium’s Ford Mustangs.

“In allowing select Mustang models to compete alongside the current generation Mustang Dark Horse R cars that currently make up the entry point of its Motorsports Pyramid, Mustang Cup Classic will introduce a lower barrier of entry for competition oriented owners of these recent generation Mustangs.

“Each of these Mustang models have found success in the road racing world, competing — and winning — in series like the Grand Am Cup series, Pirelli World Challenge, and SCCA Touring championships. Performance for these different cars will be equalized using a simple power to weight ratio system that is already used extensively in other regional series where these cars are eligible to compete.”

Ward said Mustang Cup Classic cars will run on the same Yokohama tires as the Dark Horse R race cars, with cars be required to have radio, transponder, series decals, and the USAC yellow flag system.

To differentiate the Classic entrants from the Dark Horse Rs, a split start will occur between the two core categories at the race start.

“Alongside the introduction of Mustang Cup Classic, we are working in partnership with USAC and Yokohama to maximize return for competitors,” added Ward. “Each of us is taking steps to manage our aspect of team budgets, from condensing race weekends to lower travel costs, to reducing entry fees and operating expenditures.

“USAC is implementing a ‘bring a friend, race on us’ program. Any competitor who refers a driver to the series that results in a registration for the full Mustang Cup season will get their entry fees for the full season covered by USAC.

“For Mustang Cup Classic competitors, the entry fee per weekend for the first 15 competitors to register will be $1,000 less than the standard Mustang Cup entry fee, ensuring entry costs are not a barrier to entry for prospective Mustang Cup Classic racers.”

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