March 10, 1999 - 1999 SVT F-150 Lightning to pace NASCAR Cracker Barrel 500
DEARBORN, Mich. -- Lightning is expected to hit this weekend at the NASCAR Cracker Barrel 500, but for Atlanta Motor Speedway race fans, this supercharged version will definitely be a treat to watch and experience.
That's because Ford's 1999 SVT F-150 Lightning will make its debut as the official pace vehicle of this weekend's NASCAR Winston Cup event, marking the first time a truck has paced a race event at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
This is no ordinary truck, however. The Lightning, which will pace both the Cracker Barrel 500 on Sunday and the Georgia 300 NASCAR Busch Grand National event on Saturday, is offered with the Triton TM 5.4L V-8 engine supercharged and intercooled, producing 360 horsepower and 440 ft./lbs. of torque. Suspension changes include SVT-tuned front and rear shock-absorbers, stabilizer bars, and a lower ride height. To handle the power and suspension upgrades, the Lightning rides on unique 5-spoke 18 x 9.5-inch aluminum alloy wheels shod with Goodyear TM Eagle F1-GS 295/45ZR-18 tires.
This high-performance truck is capable of running the quarter mile in 14.6 seconds at 97 mph, and has a top speed of 140 mph. It is available in regular cab flareside trim only, in Bright Red Clearcoat, Black Clearcoat, or Oxford White Clearcoat exterior colors.
"We're pleased that Ford Division chose the SVT F-150 Lightning as the pace vehicle for the Cracker Barrel 500," said Tom Scarpello, Specialty Vehicle Marketing Manager. "We think it shows that the Lightning is just as much at home on the track as on the street. The Lightning outperforms many sport cars on the road today, and of course, it packs all the toughness you expect in a Ford truck."
The SVT F-150 Lightning began production in early March, and will start showing up in Ford SVT-Certified Dealerships by April. The Ford F-series is also the Official Truck of NASCAR.
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