After a successful 2024 racing season, the Ford Mustang GT3 is poised to take on the 2025 sportscar racing calendar with renewed vigor and eyes on success. This year’s campaign marks the second for the Mustang GT3, and Ford Performance head Mark Rushbrook says he’s confident that track-ready pony is going to be a serious threat on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship grid.
The first Mustang GT3 appearance in 2025 will take place on the fabled asphalt of Daytona International Speedway for the annual Rolex 24 on January 25th through 26th, 2025. Throughout its long motorsports history, the Ford Mustang has conquered challenging 24-hour-long endurance races, solidifying its position as one of the toughest competitors on the circuit.
“The 24 Hours at Daytona remains one of motorsport’s most rigorous endurance races. The race pushes the limits of every aspect of what we do,” said Rushbrook in a press release. “Mustang GT3 will rise to the challenge of the most competitive 24-hour events around the world: Le Mans, Spa and Nürburgring and this is where we start it all. The speed, high-level of attrition and competition in each helps us maximize performance that we pass directly to our street Mustangs for customers worldwide.”
The Ford Mustang GT3 will once again be fielded by the Ford Performance backed factory team, Multimatic Motorsports. Drivers Mike Rockenfeller, Sebastian Priaulx, Christopher Mies, Frédéric Vervisch will take on the Rolex 24 next weekend, backed by factory racer Dennis Olsen and Austin Cindric of the NASCAR Cup Series, the latter of whom was asked to drive in place of Ben Barker for the opening round.
Additionally, Gradient Racing will field one more Mustang GT3 in the GTD class, featuring drivers Joey Hand and Harry Tincknell. Gradient is just one customer team putting a Mustang GT3 on track in 2025 – the race car has proved popular among privately owned motorsports entities. The pony car will also compete beyond U.S. soil, taking on additional races in Europe over the next season.
On the NASCAR side of things, it’s worth noting that at least one Ford racer won’t have the chance to drive at Daytona. Mike Wallace’s entry into the Daytona 500 was denied due to his lack of recent experience on large ovals.
Comments
I expect the Mustang to win.
Here’s to a more fruitful season than last year! First seasons are always a bit sketchy though, any brand will tell you that. But Multimatic Performance has had an entire year to work out the kinks.
The PRO Mustangs qualified 1,2. They have run at the front of the class all race. And they finished 1st and 3rd in class. Well done!!
As for Mike Wallace NASCAR made the correct call.