(UPDATE: Scott Maxwell qualified the GT350R-C on the pole at Watkins Glen with a time of 2:01.358) The Ford Mustang Boss 302R has done well for itself as a racer in the IMSA SportsCar Challenge series, but at this weekend’s Watkins Glen race, two new Fords will be coming out to play: the GT350R-C, the nasty version of the new Shelby with the 5.2L V8, will be hitting the track, with Billy Johnson and Scott Maxwell in the No.15 car and Jade Buford and Austin Cindric driving the No. 158 car for Ford Racing/Multimatic Motorsports cars. The GT350R-Cs are going up against some stiff competition in Grand Sport from Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.Rs, Nissan 370Zs, BMW M3s and Porsche 911s. With the switch from the Boss 302Rs to the GT350R-C, the teams will have to get used to not only the new powertrain, but the new independent rear suspension as well as the usual teething issues that come with sorting out a new racing platform.

Andrew Davis, who with Robin Liddell drives the No.6 Stevenson Motorsports Camaro Z/28.R, told motorsports.com: “Having the new Ford makes what was already a very competitive series even more competitive. We’re certainly on a roll, and it’s also nice to have the added momentum of being the defending race winner. We recently had the opportunity to test side by side with the new Mustang at The Glen. It’s a nice looking car, and we’re looking forward to racing them.”