New Mustang Funny Car to Debut in 2019 NHRA Season Opener
Ford Performance utilizes same resources used in NASCAR & IMSA Ford GT programs to create a body that emphasizes aerodynamic efficiency.
After a three-year absence Ford will finally return to funny car drag racing according to Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports. The announcement marks the return of a factory-backed Blue Oval effort after a three-year absence from the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Mellow Yellow Drag Racing Series, and the first time a new body has been developed for a Mustang since 2009.
A Cut Above the Rest
Ford has some key advantages they will utilize for the new body, including computer flow testing and wind tunnel facilities used on the Ford GT Le Mans racers. Rushbrook continues, “These are the exact same tools we use in our production car process, so it allows us to use racing development as a way to create better cars and trucks for our consumers. It has been quite a few years since we last did a Mustang Funny car body for competition, so we are very confident we will be bringing a competitive car to the track next year.”
NHRA-bound
Ford’s new NHRA car will be wheeled by Bob Tasca III, and the excitement is already building for next year’s season. As a driver who understands how important airflow is at super high speeds, he’s been impressed with Ford’s estimated numbers on the new body. “I’ve seen some of the early aero numbers and it’s absolutely incredible how slippery the car is going to be on the race track.” Tasca pointed out. And obviously in a competition as close as drag racing — with the race over practically before it begins — every advantage counts, especially “when you’re trying to find hundredths and thousandths of a second on a race run.”
Once approved by NHRA, the new Ford Mustang body will debut February 2019.
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