The 2011 Ford Mustang was chosen as the official pace car for the 2010 Nascar Daytona 500. Now Ford informed that after auctioning off the first one at Barrett Jackson it would produce an 49 additional for sale to the  public. 

For the first time in 40 years, a Ford Motor Company car will be pacing the field for the Nascar season-opening Daytona 500 when the 2011 Mustang GT, powered by the all-new 5 liter V8 engine, officially starts the race on Feb. 14 at Daytona International Speedway.

"Having the opportunity to pace America's biggest auto race with a Ford icon like the 2011 Mustang GT is truly an honor. And to have the new 5.0L engine powering the car will be a great way to demonstrate its power and class-leading fuel economy." said Jamie Allison, director, Ford North America Motorsports.

This latest version of this legendary car will be a Race Red glass roof coupe with an all-new 5.0 liter V8 engine capable of producing 412 horsepower, while delivering a class leading 25 mpg on the highway. The one-of-a-kind model will feature a special Daytona 500 paint scheme, Ford Racing suspension, strut tower brace and mufflers, unique painted wheels, and special interior treatment, including specially branded lit sill plates.

The 2011 Mustang GT Daytona 500 Pace Car model is one of only 50 special editions that will be built and sold to the public. 

The last time a Ford served as pace car for the Daytona 500 was 1970 when a Ford Torino GT convertible led the field to the green flag.

Mustang may be a rookie when it comes to pacing the Daytona 500, but has 45-year of history in racing and winning championships. Mustang captured championships last year in the Grand-Am KONI and SCCA SPEED World Challenge.

It should be noted another aspect of great relevance that makes this year's pace car even more unique and this is that it will be auctioned off for charity before the actual race.

All proceeds over the manufacturer's suggested retail price from the pace car auction will go to help cure childhood diabetes through a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.