When you hear “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines” on November 19, 2006 look to the very front of the pack for the Shelby GT500 as it leads the 43 Nextel Cup Series Drivers around the track to the start of the Ford 400 in Homestead, Miami.

At 500 horsepower, there won’t be any problem leading the NASCAR Nextel Cup field. The GT500, with its 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine, is a collaboration between racing legend Carroll Shelby and Ford Special Vehicle Team.

The car also features an aggressive muscular front-end design, Le Mans racing stripes, and the unmistakable Cobra logo and Shelby nameplate. It has a race-tuned suspension, six-speed manual transmission and four-piston Bembo brakes.

“We wanted to select championship level production vehicles to pace the Ford Championship Weekend, and we picked three of the best”, said Davis, in making the announcement. “When you talk about vehicles that combine bold design and the kind of performance needed to lead the NASCAR field on track, these three vehicles are the place to start.”

The Shelby GT500 has been equipped for pace car duties with special decal packages and light bars.

[Source: Ford.com]

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