Ford Mustang returning to Cup series

The Ford Mustang, an iconic model that helped define the American car culture of the 1960s, is coming to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2019. Ford Motor announced the switch Tuesday from the Fusion to the Mustang for its Cup teams beginning in February. Ford has raced the Mustang in the Xfinity Series, NASCAR’s No. 2 circuit, since 2011. Chevrolet debuted the Camaro, for years a Mustang rival on the street, in the Cup series this year. Mustangs have won 70 races in the Xfinity Series. Two drivers ( Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in 2011 and 2012 and Chris Buescher in 2015) have won Xfinity championships in Mustangs. Brad Keselowski, with 17 wins, leads Mustang drivers in Xfinity victories. “Bringing the Ford Mustang into the NASCAR Cup Series next season is big news for everyone, just for the fact that it’s the iconic muscle car with such a rich tradition in the history of Ford,” Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick said.