The contemporary Mustang, in the hands of Roush-Yates driver Carl Edwards, drove to a new milestone during the past weekend’s NASCAR Nationwide Race. Edwards took home the checkered flag in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway in Ft. Worth, TX.

By crossing the finish line ahead of all others in the 200-lap race, Edwards locked in the first win for a Mustang in a NASCAR Nationwide series race.

Jamie Allison, director, Ford Motorsports, called the victory,”‘A historic moment today by Mustang… We are all proud of Mustang first win in NASCAR Nationwide race. This victory by Carl Edwards puts his name into the record books among the many great drivers who have won in Mustangs since it debuted in 1964.”

“It was always said Mustang was ‘born to race,’ and this victory, along with the victories Mustang has won in drag racing, sports car racing and rally racing over the years, just further proves that point,” Allison added.

Edwards was being pressed hard through most of the race by Dodge driver, Brad Keselowski. “I was pretty concerned — he was so fast down there on the bottom in 3 and 4, and he kept getting a run,” explained Edwards. Edwards’ margin of victory over Keselowski was less than a half second, after three hundred miles of racing.

Detroit pony cars were last present in NASCAR racing during Grand Touring Division competition during the late 60s and early 70s. Donnie and Bobby Allison won eight races driving Mustangs in that series.