Jack Roush and NASCAR Unveil the 2010 Mustang-based Nationwide Car

If you think it's only right that the Mustang--after four and a half decades as Ford's most popular sports car--should race in one of NASCAR's top touring series, none other than Edsel Ford II and Jack Roush agree with you. And it's finally going to happen.

After releasing a computer rendering months ago, Ford finally unveiled the Mustang stock car that will race in limited events in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2010. The unveiling was held--of course--at Roush Fenway Racing under the watchful eye of Jack Roush, who had also brought along many of the winning Mustangs he campaigned in various sports car series.

"I have been a Mustang owner and enthusiast for many years myself," said Roush, "so this is an exciting day to see this car racing in NASCAR. My teams have won several road racing championships over the years in Mustangs, and I look forward to winning more (in the Nationwide Series)."

The change to the Mustang body makes sense for 2010 because it will coincide with the Nationwide Series' adoption of a COT template. The new chassis will require brand new cars to be built, so switching to the Mustang body won't burden Ford teams with added costs of reskinning older cars. The switch from the older bodies will be gradual. The new Mustang will debut at Daytona and will appear at other select races throughout the 2010 season.