With Trevor Baynes’ win at the Nationwide race in Texas on November 4, Mustang clinched its first-ever NASCAR championship. A week later, Mustang driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. nailed down the Nationwide driver’s championship.
Stenhouse Jr. led the point standings for 17 weeks, including the final 14, and won the first two races of his career as he swept both events at Iowa Speedway.
“We were thrilled to win the NASCAR Nationwide Manufacturers Championship,” said Ford Racing Director Jamie Allison. “Not only is it Ford’s first since 2002, but more importantly, it’s the first championship for Mustang in NASCAR. Ricky’s championship adds to this special year for Mustang and Ford.”
This year was the first for Mustang in the Nationwide series after it replaced last 2010’s Fusion.
Mustang had 13 wins during the 2011 Nationwide season, more than any other model. That represents the highest single-season win total in NASCAR Nationwide Series for Ford Racing since 2002 when it won 16 races.