Second Season of Mustang Challenge Kicks Off at Sebring

Photo: Wes Duenkel/Ford

The second season of Mustang Challenge kicks off this week at Sebring International Raceway, with an updated Ford Mustang Dark Horse R, a new Michelin tire as well as new and returning teams and drivers.

A total of 21 cars are on the pre-event entry list for the first two rounds of the season, with both inaugural class champions Robert Noaker and Alex Bachoura back to defend their titles.

Noaker is part of a ten-car Dark Horse class, consisting largely of up-and-coming drivers to the sport.

While Tyler Maxson has made the switch to Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Robert Noaker Racing will continue to operate as a multi-car team, with Noaker in the No. 13 car joined by Sandy Satullo in the No. 7 Mustang.

Marcos Vento moves from NV Autosport to McCumbee McAleer Racing, which is also a two-car stable in the top class alongside Corbin Collins, while TechSport makes its full season debut with Colin Harrison and Devin Anderson.

Experienced sports car driver Doug Peterson will make his series debut in the No. 87 Dark Horse R, while drivers for LAP Motorsports, Creative Auto Sport and Automatic Racing have yet to be announced at the time of the publishing of the initial entry list.

Bachoura, driving for Spark Performance, headlines the 11-strong entries in Dark Horse Legends, which features a mix of newcomers and returnees.

Tom Tait switches from MDK Motorsports to Competition Motors, retaining the No. 8 entry along the way, while Stephen Vajda remains with NV Autosport.

Alfonso Diaz completes TechSport’s three-car operation, while Scott Thomson is back with LAP Motorsports.

While MMR’s No. 48 car, steered last year by Zachry Lee, is currently listed with a to-be-determined driver, Nicholas Smither returns with his eponymous team, alongside Joseph Dederichs in a third RNR entry.

Drew Neubauer is locked in with NV Autosport, while Paolo Salvatore will pilot the No. 84 Mustang for Torre Racing.

Creative Auto Sport’s DHL driver also has yet to be confirmed.

Track action begins on Wednesday with a pair of practice sessions, followed by qualifying in the late afternoon. Race 1 gets underway Thursday at 1:05 p.m. EDT, with Race 2 set for Friday at 10:20 a.m., both of which will be streamed live on IMSA.tv, Peacock and Ford Performance’s YouTube channel.