{"id":34073,"date":"2025-02-04T22:14:43","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T02:14:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=34073"},"modified":"2025-02-04T22:14:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T02:14:43","slug":"ev-omg-ford-debuts-electric-nascar-mach-e-racer-to-conquer-pikes-peak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/ev-omg-ford-debuts-electric-nascar-mach-e-racer-to-conquer-pikes-peak","title":{"rendered":"EV OMG: Ford debuts electric NASCAR, Mach-E racer to conquer Pikes Peak"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Charlotte, North Carolina<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Ford Motor Co. is dialing back its production electric vehicle plans by canceling a battery-powered three-row SUV, pushing back a new EV pickup until 2027, and pruning back Lightning EV production.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">But it is full speed ahead on electric race cars.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Ford Performance, the company\u2019s competition division, rolled out its first prototype electric NASCAR and electric Mach-E Pikes Peak hill-climb racer Thursday at its second Annual Season racing launch in Charlotte.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2025\/01\/30\/PDTN\/78041927007-mustang-mach-enascar-protoyype-track.jpg?width=990&amp;height=660&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" width=\"543\" height=\"362\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_cap gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>The Ford Mustang Mach-E NASCAR prototype gives a glimpse at a possible electric NASCAR future.<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_crd gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>Ford<\/em><\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">As the company invests in an electric future, Ford Performance has played a big role by pushing the envelope of battery performance with vehicles like the winged, seven-motor, 1,400-horsepower Mustang Mach-E 1400 and the 1,600-horsepower F-150 Lightning SuperTruck that dominated Pikes Peak last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Ford\u2019s electric performance push dovetails with NASCAR, which is looking to move beyond fossil fuels and produce net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2035. That aggressive initiative includes powering its racetracks with 100% renewable (wind, solar or hydro) energy, developing a plant-based racing fuel, and installing EV charging stations.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-2-ac1\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Most prominently, NASCAR debuted its first electric race car at its Chicago Street race last year. The Mustang Mach-E NASCAR prototype follows in its footsteps.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The prototype is based on the brand\u2019s first electric SUV, the Mach-E, and shares components from the current gas-powered NASCAR Cup Series race car including suspension, brakes, steering and wheels.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2025\/01\/30\/PDTN\/78041928007-mustang-mach-enascar-protoyype-fr.jpg?width=990&amp;height=661&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" width=\"495\" height=\"331\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The Ford Mustang Mach-E NASCAR prototype is based on the Mach-E EV.\" data-c-credit=\"ASP, INC, Ford\">\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_cap gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>The Ford Mustang Mach-E NASCAR prototype is based on the Mach-E EV.<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_crd gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>ASP, INC, Ford<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">But under the skin it\u2019s propelled \u2014 not by a ferocious, 5.8-liter, 670-horsepower V-8 engine \u2014 but by three electric motors and a 78 kWh battery.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In a sport built on the visceral thrill of 40 NASCARs thundering around high-banked ovals at the drop of a green flag, the quiet hum of electric motors may seem heresy to most fans.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-3-ac2\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\" data-x-c=\"2\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">But with a new generation of fans raised on Tesla Inc.\u2019s success, NASCAR\u2019s head of sustainability, Riley Nelson, wants the sport to represent EVs as cool, fun and accessible.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201c(The NASCAR EV prototype) is just the next iteration of showcasing different types of technologies to our fans,\u201d she said alongside the NASCAR prototype at Climate Week NYC last year. \u201cWe\u2019re not saying one is better than the other. We\u2019re just saying it\u2019s an option that could be worth exploring.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside id=\"gnt_atomsnc\" class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_anc\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"loadAnc\" aria-label=\"Newsletter signup form\">\n<div class=\"label\" hidden=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"message\">\n<div class=\"title\">Get the\u00a0<span class=\"highlight\">Michigan Politics<\/span>\u00a0newsletter in your inbox.<\/div>\n<p class=\"description\">Washington and Lansing, red and blue, we&#8217;ve got your government covered.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frequency\">Delivery: Daily<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"input-container populated\"><input autocomplete=\"off\" name=\"email\" required=\"\" type=\"email\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clickable\"><\/div>\n<p><label>Your Email<\/label><\/div>\n<div id=\"bar\">\n<div class=\"highlight\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-primary\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-secondary\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The Mach-E NASCAR is closely related to the NASCAR EV that was codeveloped with Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota \u2014 NASCAR\u2019s three manufacturing partners who are all pushing battery power in their production lineups. Chevy parent General Motors Co., for example, points to NASCAR market research that shows 50% of fans would be more interested in buying an EV if they were in a racing series.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cFans want to have some connection or relationship to the racecar,\u201d Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports, told the Associated Press last year. \u201cAs more and more customers are buying all-electric vehicles, there will be, we believe, a growing number of people that want to watch full electric racing.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-4-ac3\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\" data-x-c=\"3\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Added NASCAR\u2019s Nelson of its $1.5 million prototype: \u201cIf we can make a cool race car that still has the same visceral kind of emotional attachment to it when it goes around the track then maybe the consumer will think it is worth exploring for themselves,\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">While Ford has yet to release details of the Mach-E NASCAR, it will likely share similar characteristics of the NASCAR EV that was demonstrated in Chicago. The EV accelerated twice as fast as gas-powered NASCARs but suffered in corners due to its extra battery weight.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2025\/01\/30\/PDTN\/78041924007-mach-eev-demonstrator-pikes-peak-tease.jpg?width=990&amp;height=557&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" width=\"511\" height=\"287\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The Ford Mustang Mach-E Pikes Peak racer cometh.\" data-c-credit=\"Ford\">\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_cap gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>The Ford Mustang Mach-E Pikes Peak racer cometh.<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_crd gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>Ford<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In the thin air at the top of 14,115-foot Pikes Peak, EVs have already proved themselves superior to combustion engines.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Ford plans to return to America\u2019s Mountain in 2025 after dominating the event last year with its F-150 Lightning SuperTruck \u2014 the same SuperTruck on display at January\u2019s Detroit Auto Show.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">It\u2019ll attempt to beat the record runs of the Lighting V and SuperVan 4.2 with the Mustang Mach-E derived Electric Vehicle Demonstrator. Race driver Romain Dumas, who piloted the SuperTruck in 2024, will be behind the wheel again for the Mustang\u2019s run.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-5-ac4\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\" data-x-c=\"4\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or @HenryEPayne.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Charlotte, North Carolina\u00a0\u2014 Ford Motor Co. is dialing back its production electric vehicle plans by canceling a battery-powered three-row SUV, pushing back a new EV pickup until 2027, and pruning back Lightning EV production. But it is full speed ahead on electric race cars. Ford Performance, the company\u2019s competition division, rolled out its first prototype [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34073"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34073"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34073\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34074,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34073\/revisions\/34074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}