Ford Mustang Cup North America Joining IndyCar At Barber In 2026

The Mustang Cup North America gives novice drivers the chance to race in a legitimate motorsports series, dropping them behind the wheel of the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R on iconic racetracks. In 2026, that challenge will put drivers on track alongside a major motorsports series at Barber Motorsports Park, racing as part of the IndyCar weekend next March.

The 2026 Mustang Cup opens at Sebring International Raceway in Florida on March 6^th through 8^th before venturing to Barber Motorsports Park in Atlanta on March 27^th through 29^th. IndyCar will race on March 29^th, capping off an incredible weekend for Mustang Cup participants and allowing them to share a track with one of America’s premiere motorsports leagues.

From there, the Mustang Dark Horse R competitors will head to Circuit of the Americas in Texas on May 7^th through 9^th before heading to Virginia International Raceway on June 19^th through 21^st, Road America on August 14^th through 16^th, and closing out the season at Road Atlanta on September 11^th through 13 for the first time in Mustang Cup history.

As a reminder, the Mustang Cup serves as a springboard for Mustang racers, funneling them into higher-tiered series like the Mustang Challenge North America, and eventually, the Mustang GT3 and GT4 in series like the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Drivers in the pipeline even have the chance to go all the way to the World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar division, joining The Blue Oval’s new Hypercar program in 2027.

The series is sanctioned by the United States Auto Club (USAC). It’s the first level of the Ford Racing Sports Car Pyramid. Its two championships – the Miles Cup and Parnelli Cup – each get one qualifying session and one race per weekend, enabling multiple drivers to share one vehicle. Within each championship, all drivers can compete as part of the Dark Horse class, while the Dark Horse Legends Class invites drivers of 40 years old and up to compete.