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This is the first Ford Mustang to race in NASCAR's Monster Energy Cup Series

Aside from its comically large headlights, it's a pretty accurate recreation of a modern pony car.

Andrew Krok
Cars are Andrew's jam, as is strawberry. After spending years as a regular ol' car fanatic, he started working his way through the echelons of the automotive industry, starting out as social-media director of a small European-focused garage outside of Chicago. From there, he moved to the editorial side, penning several written features in Total 911 Magazine before becoming a full-time auto writer, first for a local Chicago outlet and then for CNET Cars.
Andrew Krok
Ford Mustang NASCAR
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Ford has finally unveiled its Mustang NASCAR Cup car after originally teasing it in April.     

Ford Mustang NASCAR
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It's not actually a Mustang, of course.   

Ford Mustang NASCAR
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It's just a custom tube frame designed to resemble a Mustang.     

Ford Mustang NASCAR
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While the Ford Mustang has been in NASCAR's Xfinity Series since 2011, it's never raced in the top-tier Monster Energy Cup Series -- until now.

Ford Mustang NASCAR
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It'll make its racing debut at the 2019 Daytona 500 next February.    

Ford Mustang NASCAR
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So, you won't have to wait too much longer to see the Mustang racing in the Monster Energy Cup.     

Ford Mustang NASCAR
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The first Mustang to ever hit a racetrack was in 1964, when it was the pace car for the Indianapolis 500.    

Ford Mustang NASCAR
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It's been run in all manner of drag and road races ever since.   

Ford Mustang NASCAR
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Aside from some comically large "headlights" that look more like anime eyes than actual headlights, it's pretty spot-on.

Ford Mustang NASCAR
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What's interesting is that this Cup car lacks the notched headlights of the 2018 and 2019 Mustang, instead opting for the pre-refresh design.

Ford Mustang NASCAR
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That's because the car isn't modeled after the standard Mustang -- it's based on the Shelby GT350, which also runs the old headlights.

Ford Mustang NASCAR
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Either way, it's bound to turn some heads when it hits the ovals next year.

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