It’s not uncommon to see a Ford Mustang at the front of a NASCAR Cup Series race, but the one leading the field on the initial parade lap for the All-Star Race on May 18 at North Wilkesboro Speedway will definitely turn heads.

And that’s the point.

In an effort to attract new recruits, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) is going to have one of their all-new Mustang GTs circling the track, along with the Mustang Dark Horse that will pace the rest of the race.

“These young men and women see this car and it’s something unique. Having a car like the Mustang can really enhance the appeal of a career in law enforcement,” said Sgt. Christopher Knox, public information officer, NCSHP.

“The service aspect that so many get into this for is what we refer to as a calling, but to have something with the eye-catching appeal like these Mustangs can really be that extra motivation. It has that wow factor and really brings a lot to the table visually that I think young people are really driven to.”

But a patrol vehicle must be more than meets the eye, which is why the NCSHP developed a list of needs that the Ford Pro team addressed. One of those priorities was a vehicle that can accelerate and brake quickly multiple times a day on the interstate without a drop in performance.

“We have troopers that are responding to assist people in need,” said Knox, whose department added 25 Mustang GTs to its fleet earlier this year. “They’re involved in vehicle pursuits and our goal with everything we do is to be as safe as possible.”

Ford is the top selling vehicle brand in the law enforcement segment and leads the way with the Police Interceptor Utility, which is the most widely used police vehicle in the country.

“We’re always looking for ways to showcase our ingenuity and innovation, so to highlight Mustang as part of the NASCAR All-Star Race weekend with Ford Performance and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol is exciting for us,” said Andrew Simmons, government sales manager, Ford Pro. “We pride ourselves in producing the best purpose built-police vehicles for 75 years, and we can’t wait to celebrate the anniversary with fans by showcasing law enforcement at the front of the field.”

One of those who figures to have a good seat is defending champion Joey Logano, who is grateful that he’ll get to see the newest NCSHP Mustang through his front windshield as opposed to his rear-view mirror.

“It’s a bad day when that happens,” joked Logano, who leads all active drivers with 15 Mustang victories. “Ford has been doing this for so long with law enforcement and one of the first things you think of are those Crown Vic’s back in the day. Those were great, but migrating back to Mustangs is neat.”

Since becoming Ford’s flagship vehicle in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2019, America’s best-selling sports car has won 67 NASCAR Cup Series races and three consecutive championships. Logano, who is a three-time series champion, is the defending winner of the All-Star Race and ranks third on the all-time Ford win list with 35.

“Driving a Dark Horse anywhere is fun, but on the racetrack you can let one of those Mustangs run in the open and not have to worry about the police getting you. It’s a fun time,” said Logano. “The best though is when you see a Mustang, you hear it, and you know exactly what it is. You can be half a mile away and when you hear one fire up you’re like, ‘Yep, I know what that is.’

“I just think that’s a special thing, especially with the groups and different clubs that love it so much,” continued Logano. Name another vehicle that has as much of a following? I can’t. That’s what makes Mustang special.”

Dan Zacharias writes for the Ford Performance Communications team.