Ford F-150 Lightning is official pace vehicle of 2022 NASCAR Cup Series

MANILA: The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning will make its NASCAR Cup Series debut as a pace vehicle on April 9.

Since its launch in 2021, the F-150 Lightning has had approximately 200,000 reservations. It is part of Ford's growing electric vehicle (EV) lineup, which includes the Mustang Mach-E and E-Transit.

In a statement, Ford Performance Motorsports Marketing Manager Jeannee Kirkaldy said, “Ford is fully invested in electrification and the response to Lightning has been so overwhelming that it was an easy decision to bring it to a NASCAR event. One thing we definitely know is that our fans love trucks and we’re confident that feeling will only grow when they see Lightning out on the track leading the field to green.”

“We can’t wait to show our Ford fans how capable the F-150 Lightning is,” Ford Electric Vehicle Programs Vice President Darren Palmer stated. “With 563 horsepower, 775 lb-ft of near instantaneous torque, and a zero-to-60mph time in the mid-four-second range, I think it will turn some heads out on the track.”

After pacing the field at Talladega Superspeedway, this is the second year in a row that an all-electric Ford vehicle will lead a NASCAR race. Ford became the first OEM to deploy an EV to lead a NASCAR race when the all-electric Ford Focus led the field at Richmond, Virginia in 2012.

“I haven’t driven the Lightning yet, but if it’s anything like the Mustang Mach-E, it’s going to be a blast. I hope it ends up being the only thing in front of me once the race starts,” NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney said.

The F-150 is part of the Ford F-Series, which has been America's best-selling truck for 45 years in a row, and in January, the 40 millionth unit rolled off the assembly line.

Martinsville Speedway, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, will host all three major NASCAR touring series, starting on Thursday with the Camping World Truck Series. The NASCAR Xfinity Series will happen on Friday, followed by the NASCAR Cup Series on Saturday.

Photo from Ford

Also read: Ford’s Integrated Sustainability and Financial Report highlights transition to electric mobility