When the 2008 KONI Challenge schedule was released, everyone took one look at the August 30 date and knew that it would be the wild card in the championship chase.

Not only would his be the first-ever race held at the new Thunderbolt Raceway at New Jersey Motorsports Park, but the drivers would actually be competing in two races that weekend - the race to learn the nuances of the 2.25-mile road course and then the actual race itself. And to make it even more challenging, the Grand-Am officials combined the GS and slower ST cars together for the two-and-a-half hour contest meaning 65 cars would all be racing together for the first time on a brand-new racetrack.

So, at an event where anything could happen, mostly good things did happen for the No. 59 ROUSH®/Valvoline Mustang with co-drivers Jack Roush Jr. and Dean Martin who finished fourth overall and were the top Ford Mustang in the field this weekend. This would be the team's fourth consecutive finish of sixth place or better.

Roush qualified in 19th, taking a conservative approach to the new racetrack. But once the green flag flew Roush began to make up positions and moved up to seventh position before handing the wheel to Martin.

(Read more here.)

Sam Millard, a six-year-old from Texas, saw his winning JDRF design on the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang for the first time today, as his “Imagine a Cure” theme was unveiled in front of a lunchtime crowd in downtown Indianapolis.

Millard, a resident of Greenville, Texas, and member of the Greater Dallas JDRF Chapter, helped unveil his car with Al Giombetti from Ford Customer Service Division, at Monument Circle. His design for the JDRF-themed Funny Car was applied to the Shelby Mustang of Bob Tasca III for the NHRA U.S. Nationals to be held this weekend in Indianapolis.

“Sometimes when mommy and daddy check if my blood sugar is high or low, I can feel my heart beating in my finger,” said Millard on what inspired his car design. “I don’t want to feel that anymore, so I want JDRF to win and find a cure.”
(Read more here.)

The teasing continues. The marketing and PR people up in Dearborn know you are waiting with baited breath to see the new 2010 Mustang. So we are being treated to weekly drips of dream.

Today they ask us if we are curious about what the 2010 Ford Mustang looks like? They say the new pony badge offers a clue. Like the upcoming restyled Mustang, the new pony is more defined, more muscular and sure to catch the eye of Mustang enthusiasts.

“It’s just a faster-looking steed,” said George Saridakis, Design manager for the 2010 Mustang.

A stronger, more dynamic pony badge with defined edges and crisper forms in a subtly toned tinted-chrome finish will charge across the grilles of the V-6 and GT versions of the 2010 Mustang. For the first time, a black-chrome version of the Mustang pony badge will accent the new GT grille.

(Read more here.)

For 2009 Saleen Inc. will be scaling back it’s limited editions to more of the upscale variety for reasons unknown but one that pops into my mind is the limited production run of 2009 Ford Mustangs which is estimated at just 45K units. Also with Saleen’s/ASC’s recent auction of misc. stuff it seems they are gearing up for the 2010 Mustang as well.

“The campaign for the year is titled ‘the Pinnacle,’ as we intend to solidify Saleen’s position as the leader in exclusive performance vehicles,” says Marques McCammon, General manager at Saleen Automotive. “My vision is to move the brand up with more exclusivity in every model, with fewer, more substantive offerings.”

Also for 2009 Saleen will introduce a new wheel (picture above), some new exterior details, and each model will have its very own interior treatment. In addition to a offering a unique interior, the new S302 Supercharged will also be offering 580-horsepower in S-line dress.

Other changes for 2009 include the Heritage models being limited to just two special editions, including a continuation of the Dan Gurney model and a ‘Super Saleen’ that is nicknamed the “WM”. What do you think the Super Saleen will pack, 600 or 700 horses, your guess is as good as mine.