Mustang for NASCAR Nationwide Series revealed!

The people have been calling for it, as the masses have grown tired of seeing four door family cars that all look the same running around NASCAR tracks. And now Ford is taking the first step of reintroducing muscle cars to NASCAR by bringing it's Mustang to the Nationwide Series.

Ok, so no car in NASCAR really "is" the actual car, just a body with lots of stickers to make it resemble one. And this isn't the big leagues or even Busch. But it is a step in the right direction.

The first new Mustang to see action will be the No. 16 Con-way Freight Mustang driven by Colin Braun for Roush Fenway Racing.

PRESS RELEASE

FORD, ROUSH FENWAY RACING, AND CON-WAY FREIGHT UNVEIL NEW 2010 NATIONWIDE MUSTANG

Truck Series 2008 Rookie of the Year Colin Braun Will Drive the No. 16 Con-way Freight Mustang

CONCORD, N.C., October 13, 2009 – A new era of Mustang racing rolled out here today, piloted by an All-American driver and with a returning sponsor familiar to loyal NASCAR fans.

Three major events were rolled into one today as Ford teamed up with Roush Fenway Racing and Con-way Freight to unveil the No. 16 Con-way Freight Mustang with driver Colin Braun at Roush Fenway Racing headquarters in Concord, N.C.

Ford announced in July that Mustang, the iconic pony car that has raced for all 45 years of its existence, would compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series beginning in July 2010 when a limited rollout of NASCAR's new car begins at Daytona International Speedway. Today marked the first time the NASCAR Mustang was seen in public.

Braun, 21, a native of Ovalo, Texas, will make the move from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, where he was the 2008 Raybestos Rookie of the Year, to a full-time Nationwide program next season, along with Con-way Freight, which has been his sponsor for the last two years. Roush Fenway and Con-way Freight recently agreed on a contract extension to remain as a primary sponsor for 18 Nationwide races within the organization.

"I'm so happy that Con-way Freight decided to move up with me to the Nationwide Series for 2010," Braun said. "They have been a great sponsor for the past two years in the truck series so it means a lot to me that they will continue to support me in the future. I'm also looking forward to driving a Mustang next year. I've always thought they are such incredible cars, but have never owned one. Maybe when I win my first race the guys at Ford will want to give me one of my own."

Mustang has a storied history in motorsports and can claim more than 2,000 professional race wins worldwide. Its iconic standing in the auto industry aside, Mustang brings a breath of fresh air and new sense of excitement to the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

"This truly marks the start of the next era of Mustang racing," said Brian Wolfe, director, Ford North America Motorsports. "We fully expect this Mustang, with drivers like Colin behind the wheel, to start to enjoy the kind of success so many other Mustang racing programs have enjoyed throughout the last four decades.

"Mustang is a proud and historic brand for Ford. This is a car born to race, and NASCAR is the next logical step for its racing pedigree."

Braun and Con-way Freight have had good success together and are experiencing a breakout season in 2009. Braun started the season by capturing his first of his three poles to date in the season-opening race at Daytona, and followed that up with his first NASCAR win, which came at Michigan International Speedway in June. He finished 13th in the point standings last year and currently sits seventh with five races remaining this season.

"We're excited to help unveil the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Mustang, and to announce Con-way Freight's first-ever sponsorship in the Nationwide Series," said John G. Labrie, president, Con-way Freight. "The opportunity to continue working with Ford, Roush Fenway Racing and Colin Braun is a great one for us. Colin's talent on the track and competitive spirit remind us of our more than 20,000 employees and the commitment they bring to their jobs every day. All of us at Con-way Freight look forward to supporting Colin all the way to another Rookie of the Year win in 2010."

Con-way Freight's first venture into racing took place in 2005. In 2006, the company rebranded and changed its name, and a racing sponsorship provided an ideal opportunity to build awareness of the Con-way Freight brand in an entertaining and exciting way for both customers and employees.

"Through the first five years of Con-way Racing, we saw that the program was a huge win for Con-way Freight and our customers, so we made the decision to move forward with a new affiliation with Ford, Roush Fenway Racing and Colin Braun," said Bill Wynne, vice president of marketing, Con-way Freight. "We've seen tremendous rewards from those relationships, and that's why we're here today to announce a new era of Con-way Racing action in the NASCAR Nationwide Series."

Mustang currently competes professionally in the NHRA Funny Car and Pro Stock divisions and places like the Grand-Am KONI Challenge, SCCA World Challenge, and the Mustang Challenge Series. In addition, thousands of Mustangs see action by grassroots racers at road courses and drag strips all across America.

"I have been a Mustang owner and enthusiast for many years myself so this is an exciting day to see this car racing in NASCAR," said car owner Jack Roush. "My teams have won several road racing championships over the years in Mustangs, and I look forward to winning more with Colin, Carl (Edwards) and Ricky (Stenhouse, Jr.). With the continued support of Ford and Con-way Freight we plan to give Colin the opportunity for his second Rookie of the Year title in NASCAR, and ultimately a Nationwide Series championship."

Superformance and Roush team up for special edition MKIII-R

Superformance, the only Shelby-licensed producer of Cobra kit cars, has teamed up with Roush for a special edition version of their MKIII replicar that features a Roush 427 IR crate motor pumping out 576 horsepower.



In addition to standard features like TIG welded ladder frame chassis, independent front and rear suspension, fiberglass body, and Wilwood brakes, the MKIII-R gets custom Cobra seats with four-point harnesses, black chrome trim, Roush floor mats and short throw shifter, custom Roush-engraved wind wings, and a unique Monza Red paint scheme with silver stripes and black pin stripes.



The package is now on sale and will be sold as an upgrade for the standard MKIII chassis. You can check out the full details in the press release below.



PRESS RELEASE:



The Question:



What happens when you take the most sought after 1965 licensed reproduction Cobra replica and shoehorn in an engine built by a company that has more Ford wins than any other manufacture?



The Answer:



You get the Roush/Superformance Special Edition MKIII-R!



The Project:



The Roush/Superformance Special Edition MKIII-R was built specifically to tour the country and represent the bread and butter of what Roush Performance Engines and Superformance LLC have to offer. The plan was to build a one off display vehicle, but the project's high interest quickly changed everyone's mind and suddenly the car was slated for production. The Special Edition car was introduced to the public at the 2007 SEMA show in Las Vegas Nevada. The MKIII-R showed the public what it has always wanted to see - two industry leaders working together to produce the best of both worlds, a stunning double diamond with the roar of a lion under the hood. A car that is truly pleasing to all of your senses!



Now Available for Purchase:



The Roush components will be available as an upgrade package that will be sold separately from the standard Superformance MKIII roadster. The interior features a set of Roush embroidered leather seats, unique gauges, billet short-throw shifter, Roush embroidered floor mats, dual gauge pod, and a serialized plaque. Customers can choose from a variety of Roush crate motors including the 427 IR V8 that is dyno tested at 576 horsepower and comes with a 2-year/24,000 mile warranty.



The Players:



Superformance LLC, the leader in "Licensed Reproduction" replica and continuation component chassis of the 1960's. As one of the first players in the industry, Superformance has over 20 independent dealers throughout the world including Europe, Africa, and Australia. Superformance has earned the reputation of being the best through their relentless attention to detail, quality, craftsmanship, fit, finish, and customer service. Superformance teamed with Hi-Tech Automotive RSA (the world's largest specialty car production facility with more than 600 craftsmen and associated employees in their 400,000 square foot build facility located in South Africa) has built over 4000 rolling component chassis to date.



Roush Performance Engines, a division of Roush Industries and better known to the general public as Roush Fenway Racing has been producing complete performance crate "street engines" since 2003 and currently has over 15 different combinations from mild to wild to choose from.



Hillbank Motor Corporation is Southern California's Superformance licensed reproduction replica and Shelby continuation vintage racing and component chassis dealer. Hillbank has the largest selection and inventory of complete "turn-key minus" MKIII's, Cobras, Daytona Coupes, and GT40's on the West Cost and is a premier retailer of the top name brand and genuine aftermarket American Muscle performance parts & accessories.



Exotic Auto Restorations is a well respected installation center for Hillbank Motor Corp. Exotic specializes in custom fabrication of classic vintage race cars, early & late model Mustangs, and show quality vehicles. Owner, George Cunha and his crew have over 26 years of experience in and around the custom fabrication and restoration industry. Exotic holds numerous awards with their show winning cars and has recently been seen on Hot Rod TV.



The Journey:



Hillbank Motor Corp collected all the pieces of this performance puzzle and began to align the stars for this new venture. Once the pieces were all collected, Hillbank called on Exotic Automotive Restorations to masterfully assemble the dream car!



The MKIII-R started its journey in South Africa, where it was built completely minus the engine and transmission by Hi Tech Automotive RSA and shipped Hillbank Motor Corp. After 5 weeks on the water it arrived at Hillbank and was quickly sent over to Exotic where it began the transformation process.



The Exotic crew first removed all of the chrome factory trim pieces including the windshield, hood and trunk latches, headlight rings, quick jacks, all the way down to the Tonneau cover rivets and roll bar and sent them out to be coated in a black chrome finish. With the help of our sponsors (Roush, GTP, Wilwood Engineering, Tremec, American Racing, Sube Sport, Michelin USA, and Snake Power Performance) this vehicle was well on its way to its new transformation!



Specs:



2007 Superformance MKIII chassis

Monza red paint with dark silver Le Mans stripes and black pin stripes

Independent Suspension

Limited slip differential

Billstein shocks and custom H & R springs

GTP sway bars

Heavy duty TIG welded ladder frame chassis with crumple zones

Custom Wilwood upgraded power- assisted vented disc brakes. 4 pot calipers

Heater and defogger

American Racing 18" pin drive wheels

Hand laminated fiberglass body with reinforcing inserts

Original style Smith gauges

Original style Lucas switches

Safe Craft fire suppression system

Ceramic coated headers and side pipes

Custom floor mats

Custom Roush engraved wind wings

Cobra seats with custom embroidery

4 point harness seat belts

Black chrome trim

Tri pod head lamps

Soft top and tonneau cover

Stainless steel 17 gallon pressure tested fuel tank

Roush 427 IR dry sump motor:

o 576 HP

o 2 year/24,000 mile warranty

o Hard coat anodized billet covers

o Tremec 5 speed transmission

o Oil cooler and braided hoses