The Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck will be the first ‘Pace Car’ (Safety Car) electric truck to take charge of the Nascar Cup Series event at the Martindsville Speedway circuit on April 9, 2022.
The previous Ford F-150 Lightning has received nearly 200,000 orders since its launch last May and is part of a growing EV portfolio for Ford following the Mustang Mach-E and E-Transit.
Ford has invested heavily in the era of electrification and the response to Lightning was so great that it was an easy decision to bring it to the Nascar event, said Jeannee Kirkaldy, Motorsports Marketing Manager Ford Performance.
“One thing for sure we know is that our fans love trucks and we are sure that feeling will grow when they see Lightning out on the track leading the track,” he said on his official website, Wednesday (6/4/2022).
Meanwhile, Darren Palmer, Vice President of Ford EV Programs also expressed his eagerness to show Ford fans how great the F-150 Lightning is.
“With a power of 563 hp and a peak torque of 1,050 Nm which can go from 0-96 kph in just 4 seconds, I think it will make the center of attention on the track,” said Darren.
The Ford F-150 Lightning became the second Ford electric vehicle to lead the Nascar competition after previously using the Ford Mustang Mach-E at the Talldega Superspeedway.
Ford also became the first OEM to use an electric vehicle to drive a Nascar race in April 2012 when the Ford Focus Full-Electric raced at the Nascar circuit in Richmond, Virginia.
“I haven’t ridden Lightning yet, but if it were anything like the Mustang Mach-E, it would be a blast. I hope it’s the only thing ahead of me once the race starts,” said NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney.