(Ford)
Ford Racing's new EcoBoost Daytona Prototype will compete in next year's inaugural TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the merged series that brings American Le Mans and Grand Am together. And it will do it with one heck of a prototype car, from the early look of things. The EcoBoost V-6 prototype engine just set a new speed record at Daytona International Speedway.
The old record was set back in 1987 by Bill Elliott in a NASCAR cup car during qualifying for the Daytona 500, at 210.364 mph.
Ford's new Daytona Prototype smashed that record, recording a lap of 222.971 mph, completing the circuit in just 40.364 seconds.
Photos: 2014 Ford Daytona Prototype
Driven by Colin Braun, the Michael Shank Racing prototype also set new FIA World Record times for the standing 10-km distance (202.438 mph) and the 10-mile distance (210.018 mph), pending certification by the FIA.
Of course, that's just one car turning laps on an empty track. Next year's challenges will be much more significant, with two prototype classes and three GT classes in the mix all at once.
Still, it looks like Ford Racing and its Roush Yates-built V-6 EcoBoost engine will do well for Michael Shank Racing if it holds up to the rigors of real-world racing.