Loftsgard Dominates Opening Race of 2026 Ford Mustang Challenge at Sebring
Sebring, FL – Cole Loftsgard secured a commanding victory in the inaugural event of the 2026 Ford Mustang Challenge, driving the #42 Round 3 Racing Dark Horse R. Starting from pole, Loftsgard executed a strong launch, quickly extending his lead over a competitive field.
Loftsgard’s early advantage stemmed from an intense battle behind him, particularly between Devin Anderson (#22 TechSport Racing) and Michael Tosi (#77 Wheelhouse Motorsports), who fought for second. Loftsgard leveraged this distraction to establish a six-second lead, consistently running laps in the low 2:16s and ultimately clocking the fastest lap of the race at 2:14.288.
“The Ford Mustang Dark Horse R is a new platform for us, and we came out of the gate swinging,” said Loftsgard. “This race is one of 12 throughout the year, so the job’s just begun, but I’m definitely going to enjoy this.”
Finishing in second place, Tosi delivered a strong performance in his series debut. Will Lucas (#34 Wheelhouse Motorsports), a two-time Mustang Cup champion, rounded out the podium in third. Devin Anderson, despite battling for position, finished fourth while also contending with Alex Bachoura, who claimed victory in the Dark Horse Legends class.
Bachoura exhibited dominant form, winning his third consecutive race at Sebring. He challenged Anderson late in the race, managing to reduce the gap significantly even after leading the DHL class with a 37-second buffer.
“Spark Performance really dialed in the Mustang Dark Horse R for the race,” said Bachoura. “Winning again here is special. Thank you to Ford.”
In the DHL category, Tom Tait finished second, followed by Chris Clarke, who accomplished an impressive recovery to take the final podium spot after an early spin hindered his performance.
Notably, 18-year-old Ryan Persing made his series debut, finishing ninth overall after a solid adaptation to the #29 Paley Motorsport with AAG Racing car, showcasing promise for future races.
The second race of the Mustang Challenge is scheduled for 10:20 AM local time.
Results
- Cole Loftsgard (#42 Round 3 Racing)
- Michael Tosi (#77 Wheelhouse Motorsports)
- Will Lucas (#34 Wheelhouse Motorsports)
- Devin Anderson (#22 TechSport Racing)
- Alex Bachoura (DHL Class Winner)
Key Moments
- Loftsgard maintained a lead throughout, building a significant gap using consistent lap times.
- Bachoura showed strong pace, showcasing his competitive edge in a decisive class win.
The 2026 Ford Mustang Challenge season has officially commenced with thrilling performances and promising talent.
