Fans at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis were treated to a “first” today as Ford Racing unveiled a freshened exterior Taurus and all-new F-150 pickup truck that will be competing next season in the NASCAR Nextel Cup and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, respectively. Cisco Codina, vice-president, Ford Customer Service Division, and Dan Davis, director, Ford Racing Technology, unveiled the vehicles today as part of the annual Ford Racing Fan Appreciation Day. Numerous Ford Racing drivers from the NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch Series, and Craftsman Truck series assisted in the presentation. This marks the second time that Taurus has received a styling and design change to its nose and tail sections since becoming the first four-door entry in NASCAR’s top division in 1998. The F-150 is also undergoing its second facelift, but it’s the truck’s first since 1996. The new styling on the race vehicles reflects the styling changes that will appear on the production 2004 Taurus and 2004 F-150 that will be on sale this fall. Although being shown for the first time today, the Taurus and F-150 race vehicles won’t make their competition debut until February 2004, at the start of Daytona Speedweeks.( Ford Racing PR )(7-31-2003) IMAGES: see my Ford News and Links page for a few images of the car and truck.(8-1-2003)
