Tag Archives: Stenhouse Jr

The Truck That Jack Built – ROUSH Nitemare F-150

After graduating with a Masters in Scientific Mathematics from Eastern Michigan University in 1966 Jack Roush, born in Covington Kentucky, went to work for Ford until 1970 and after a short spell with Chrysler set up his own engineering business which was to become Roush Enterprises.

ROUSH Nitemare F-150, Thruxton

Roush teamed up with Wayne Gapp to build up a successful Drag Racing team G & R High Performance in Livonia, Mich which amongst other vehicles built a $25,000 150 mph ’73 Ford Pinto pro stocker powered by a Cleveland V8 driven by Ken Dondero and a pro stock Maverik driven by Wayne Gapp called “Juana Taxi”.

ROUSH Nitemare F-150, Thruxton

Building on his success on the Drag Strip Roush entered a partnership with the German Ford tuner Zakspeed to build successful road racing vehicles for Ford in the Trans Am and IMSA GT Series.

ROUSH Nitemare F-150, Thruxton

In 1988 Jack entered the NASCAR arena with a young Mark Martin and since has survived two aeroplane crashes, in 2002 and 2010, while Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch won back to back Cup titles, in 2003 ans 2004, for Roush. Matt also won two Daytona 500’s in 2009 and 2011. In the second tier Nationwide Series Gregg Biffle (2002), Carl Edwards 2007, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr 2011 and ’12 have all won driving for “The Cat in the Hat” as Jack is affectionately known. Gregg Biffle also won the 2000 NASCAR Craftsmen Truck Series in a Roush F-150.

ROUSH Nitemare F-150, Thruxton

Along side all his racing success Roush Enterprises has produced all manner of performance parts under the Roush Performannce banner and in 2004 Jack introduced the first in a trickle of limited edition Roush Mustangs known as the 440A.

ROUSH Nitemare F-150, Thruxton

Following the release of the 2007 Black Jack Mustang Roush Performance turned it’s attention to a limited edition truck based on the 2007 11th edition standard cab F-150 with the flaredside bed.

ROUSH Nitemare F-150, Thruxton

Just 100 2007 Roush Nightmares were built and so far as I can tell from the head light cluster and rear wheel arches the example seen here, at Thruxton last year, is one of them. In 2008 a second series of 100 Nightmares was built with less chrome in the head light clusters and larger flares on the rear wheel arches.

ROUSH Nitemare F-150, Thruxton

Along with the performance enhancing Roushcharger™ the 445 hp 5.4 litre / 329 cui V8 features 3 valves per cylinder, bespoke intake manifolds, intercooler, radiator, and air induction system. The vehicle is fitted with an electronically-controlled speed limiter which restricts the top speed to 105 mph.

ROUSH Nitemare F-150, Thruxton

Options included the decorative hood scoop, Roush sport lowered suspension, locking lug nuts, GPS and NASCAR inspired rear spoiler seen below.

ROUSH Nitemare F-150, Thruxton

Available only from ROUSH-authorized Ford dealers beginning June 2007, the ROUSH Nitemare cost $41,750, comparable to a discounted Dodge SRT 10 performance truck, and was covered by ROUSH’s industry exclusive 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.

Thanks for joining me on this “The Truck That Jack Built” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a 9.2 litre / 563 cui chain drive Mercedes. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Fan Re Engagement – 2013 Ford Fusion Cup Car

Ford launched it’s second generation 2013 Fusion range at the Detroit Motor Show in January, a range that has all the style of an Aston Martin but at a fraction of the price. During the NASCAR media week Ford gave the world a preview of their challenger for the 2013 NASCAR season which looks very much closer match to the 2013 road cars than does any of the recent COT (Car Of Tomorrow) NASCAR vehicles.

2013 Ford Fusion Cup Car

Right from the start of the new 2013 Fusion NASCAR project Ford Racing Director is quoted as saying “We wanted Fusion to be the car that helped return ‘stock car’ to NASCAR.” Above a clay scale model is still the starting point for translating all new concepts into working vehicles.

2013 Ford Fusion Cup Car

Allison observed that “…there is just something natural about seeing race cars that look like cars in (fans) driveways.” Once complete the scale model is then 3D scanned and translated into full size contour drawings.

2013 Ford Fusion Cup Car

The 2013 Fusion program is a strong nod back to the ‘Strictly Stock’ roots upon which Bill France built the NASCAR name. From the contour drawings a full size scale clay mock up is produced.

2013 Ford Fusion Cup Car

Ford Design Centre staff led by Garen Nicoghosian and aerodynamicist Bernie Marcus spent a year on the design and development of the 2013 Fusion Cup Car.

2013 Ford Fusion Cup Car

The design team had three objectives, to make sure the overall proportions of the car matched the road going Fusion, to make sure the brand and design cues were visible from the side profile and to give the front end instantly identifiable as a Ford, with the distinctive road going 2013 Fusion grill.

2013 Ford Fusion Cup Car

This is the third time that Ford have launched a new model simultaneously with it’s NASCAR variant the first was in 1968 when the fast back Torino was launched and the second in 2006 when the first generation Fusion was launched.

2013 Ford Fusion Cup Car

With it’s unquestionably aggressive stance the 2013 Cup Fusion as Nicoghosian suggests “exudes performance” and “reflects the nimbleness, agility and eagerness of the 2013 Fusion production range.

2013 Ford Fusion Cup Car

Ford will be hoping history repeats it’s self after the launch of Fastback Torino David Pearson took back to back Cup championships, then known as the Grand National Championshps, in 1968 and 1969.

All photo’s courtesy Ford Motor Company.

Thanks for joining me on this ‘Fan Re Engagement’ edition of ‘Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres’, I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

PS Last May I posted a blog about Lexie’s Challenge, I’m thrilled to hear that Lexie’s Challenge raised US$ 2372 worth of gift cards for the children’s group homes supported by the Kyle Busch Foundation. I am sure you will want to join me in congratulating Lexie on her tremendous achievement.

For 2012 Lexie is upping the stakes by donating US$ 18 for every cup win Kyle Busch records AND US$ 5 for every victory a Kyle Busch Motorsports car records regardless of driver or series. For further details see this Lexie’s drive for kids link and join the challenge !

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