Ford will be the first manufacturer to unveil its new 2013 model when it hosts a media event tomorrow (January 24) at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Fusion Sprint Cup race car is based on the new Ford Fusion production model, which broke cover at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and is also due for a 2013 release.
The car is set to be unveiled by Ford Racing Director Jamie Allison and lead Ford designer Garen Nicoghosain, along with senior NASCAR management, in a move which marks a major return to manufacturer identity in the sport – at a time when Indycar will be returning to a multi-manufacturer format with Honda, Chevrolet and Lotus.
Teams running the current Ford model include Roush-Fenway Racing, which ran Carl Edwards to the runner-up spot in 2011, Richard Petty Motorsports, and defending Daytona 500 champions Wood Brothers Racing. Ford finished second behind Chevrolet in the manufacturers standings in 2011, with seven wins for Edwards, Matt Kenseth, David Ragan, Trevor Bayne and Marcos Ambrose.
Ford will be providing a live stream of the event, available at www.fordracing.com and www.facebook.com/OfficialFordRacing.