Chelsea DeNofa Joins Mustang Challenge in Season Debut at Sebring International Raceway
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Mustang Challenge Debuts the 2025 Season at Sebring International Raceway
The IMSA-sanctioned Mustang Challenge, a single-make series showcasing the Mustang Dark Horse R, is set to enter its second season, kicking off this weekend at Sebring International Raceway. Continuing Mustang’s storied six-decade legacy in motorsports, the series provides an exciting and competitive platform for dedicated customers and racing enthusiasts to test their skills on the track.
The 2025 Mustang Challenge season consists of six rounds and 12 races, with an additional non-points invitational event at Circuit de la Sarthe, serving as a support race for the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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Chelsea DeNofa Back in a Mustang
It only took a year for 2023 Formula DRIFT champion Chelsea DeNofa to return to competition in the driver's seat of a Ford Mustang. However this time he's aiming to keep traction rather than lose it. DeNofa will be returning to his road course racing roots, taking the wheel of a Mustang Dark Horse R for the opening round of the Mustang Challenge this weekend. His car will feature his recent livery design that follows suit with his Porsche 718 and twin-turbo BMW M5 drift cars, sharing some of his notable partners.
"About a month ago my buddy Chip VanVurst told me Ford’s Mustang Challenge was going to LeMans. We snapped into action, built a Dark Horse R program, and set our efforts to race Sebring this weekend." said DeNofa. "We’re here and it’s happening! Can’t wait to continue to grow my talents, the world of drifting, and hopefully gain some respect from my fellow road race companions this weekend!"
Denofa is scheduled to compete in the opening round of Mustang Challenge and the Le Mans Invitational in June.
New for Mustang Dark Horse R in 2025
The Mustang Dark Horse R, designed for competition by Ford Performance in collaboration with Multimatic Motorsports, is a turn-key race car built to deliver over 500 horsepower, making it well-suited for the most challenging racing circuits.
Kicking off at Sebring, teams will debut an updated package for the Mustang Dark Horse R, aimed at enhancing performance, reliability, and ease of service.
All Mustang Dark Horse R models in the Mustang Challenge will race on lightweight 18″ forged wheels fitted with 30/65-18 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup GT tires. For races held in wet conditions, teams will switch to the Michelin P2L in the same size. Additionally, Ford Performance and Michelin will have support staff on-site at every race weekend to assist series participants directly.
Key updates to the Mustang Dark Horse R include a competition-style clutch and throw-out bearing for improved gearbox durability, Mustang GT4 rear camber arms for faster and more precise camber adjustments, front chin spoiler supports for increased fascia retention and durability, and a revised 3.55-ratio rear differential, optimizing gearing for high-speed circuits like Road America and Le Mans.
For more information, please see the official story here: https://www.imsa.com/news/2025/03/11/mustang-challenge-debuts-the-2025-season-at-sebring-international-raceway/
