17 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Rs have arrived in sunny California this week ahead of the second event of the Mustang Challenge North America season at Laguna Seca. The series returns to this iconic track for the second time, with two 50-minute races around the 3.602-kilometre circuit coming up on Saturday and Sunday.
In 2025, Robert Noaker took victory at both races on the way to his second series title in the Dark Horse class. Alex Bachoura swept both races in the Dark Horse Legends class, similarly headed to his second championship in as many years. Neither driver is on this year’s Laguna Seca entry list, however. This leaves the door open for a guaranteed new set of winners this weekend.
Noaker made the move into the Michelin Pilot Challenge GS class, behind the wheel of the #13 McCumbee McAleer Racing Mustang GT4, which will race this weekend in the 120-minute race. Alex Bachoura raced last time out in Sebring, but has since stepped back from the sport.
In the season opener, three Mustang Challenge rookies drew a lot of attention for their immediate pace at Sebring. Cole Loftsgard snapped up a pole position and two race wins in Dark Horse in his first race behind the wheel of the Dark Horse R for Round 3 Racing.
Michael Tosi shone in his Wheelhouse Motorsports #77, taking two second-place podium finishes and showing very strong racecraft. Dark Horse Legends rookie Chris Clarke, driving the Paley Motorsport with AAG Racing #9 car, looked very impressive, taking home third and second, right in the mix with reigning champ Bachoura.
Mustang Cup USA champion Will Lucas returns for Laguna Seca after two strong showings in Sebring. Sitting in fourth in the championship, the Ford Development Driver looks to build upon his debut podium performance this weekend.
Tom Tait returns in the Dark Horse Legends class following a double podium weekend at Sebring. Tait finished fourth in the championship standings and took victory at VIR last season. He had two strong results at Laguna in 2025 and hopes to carry his momentum into the race days on Saturday and Sunday.
Looking wider this weekend is a significant one for the Ford Racing pyramid, with 39 Mustangs in action this weekend across all disciplines: GT3 and GT4, NASCAR, NHRA and Mustang Challenge.
Two Mustang Challenge practice sessions are scheduled for Friday afternoon, followed by qualifying in the evening. Race 1 will start bright and early at 8:50 AM PT (local time) on Saturday. Race 2 will go green on Sunday morning at 9:30 AM PT.
Image courtesy of Ford Racing
