2011 Ford Mustang GT Named As Daytona 500 Pace Car

By Nelson Ireson

Nelson Ireson

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2011 Mustang GT Daytona Pace Car

The 2011 Ford Mustang GT is getting some major upgrades this year, including a new 5.0-liter 412-horsepower engine, and that's enough to make it the pick for the pace car of the 2010 Daytona 500. It is the first Ford car picked to pace the race in 40 years.

The last Ford car to pace the Daytona 500 was the 1970 Ford Torino GT convertible. The 2011 Mustang GT is also the first Mustang to get the honor. But what does all this historical trivia mean to you?

It means that there will be a special limited-edition run of 50 pace cars built and sold to the public. The actual pace car itself is going to be up for sale, too, going under the hammer at the 39th Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Collector Car auction on January 23--and Richard Petty will be alongside the car to help it sell.

Not that it'll need the help. On top of the 2011 Mustang GT's already impressive spec sheet, the pace car gets a special Daytona 500 paint theme, Ford Racing suspension, upgraded strut tower brace and mufflers, unique painted wheels and a special interior look with unique sill plates denoting its Daytona heritage.

The 2010 Daytona 500 will run on February 14th at the Daytona International Speedway.

[Ford]