Crown Vic racing at Cordele: race car rules and build checklist

Only the Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car, 1995 and newer. The rules are built around one idea: keep the cars stock. If a change is not listed in the rules, it is not allowed.

• Engine: entirely stock 4.6L SOHC, 65mm maximum throttle body, stock manifold and air filter. Aftermarket coils are allowed.
• Drivetrain: stock transmission; stock rear end with a factory gear between 2.73 and 3.73.
• Tires and wheels: 235/55/17, 225/60/16 or 215/70/15 only, 330 treadwear or higher, under $160 a tire, on stock steel wheels.
• Driver safety: Snell SA2015 or SFI 31.2 helmet, fire suit, racing shoes and gloves, a racing seat, a 5-point harness and a window net.
• Cage: up to a 4-point cage welded to the frame, with four curved door bars on the driver’s side.
• In the car: no radios, phones or other communication devices.

This is a summary. The rule book is the authority, and the general track rules apply too:

• 2026 Crown Vic rules (PDF)
• 2026 general track rules (PDF)
• Every class’s rules

Take out

• Every airbag in the car.
• All glass except the windshield. The windshield stays stock, or is replaced by Lexan or a metal screen with two half-inch bars in front of the driver, strapped in place.
• Optional: the AC compressor, lines and heater/AC box, and the dash and inner AC box and controls. The instrument cluster must stay and still work.

Put in

• A 4-point cage, max, welded to the frame (not the floor pan): 1 3/4" x .095 tubing, or 1 1/2" x .095 if the door bars are fully plated. Four curved door bars on the driver’s side, a bar across the main hoop just above the driveshaft tunnel and another about halfway to the roof. No offset cages, and the cage must be painted.
• A racing seat, a 5-point harness and a window net, each no more than 5 years past the manufacturer’s date.
• A fuel/kill switch at the rear deck or behind the driver’s cage (kill-all switch if the battery is moved). The battery can stay stock or move inside the driver’s compartment, mounted and covered.
• Hood and trunk pins for easy access by officials (no bolting down). A quick-disconnect steering wheel is allowed.
• Optional: a 1.75" pipe front bumper looped back into the frame (one top loop, no bracing, no square tubing) and a tubing core support with one down bar per side.
• Numbers on both front doors and the roof, at least 18" tall with 3" lines, contrasting with the car; the roof number faces the passenger side.

Keep stock

• Engine: 4.6L SOHC, max 65mm throttle body, stock manifold and air filter (aftermarket coils OK). The computer stays stock and untuned, and the OBD2 port must work so tech can read the tune.
• Transmission, steering column, pedals and dash structure (a sheet-metal dash up to 14" deep is allowed).
• Rear end with a factory 2.73–3.73 gear; welded spiders or factory posi are allowed, aftermarket lockers are not.
• Suspension: no spacers, air ride, or cut/heated/lowered springs; stock or OEM-replacement shocks and springs. Camber up to 3 degrees, with factory adjustment or Moog K100094 (or equivalent aftermarket) camber bolts.
• No added weight. The track can add weight to any car.
• Exhaust: 2 1/2" max, no X/H/Y pipes, exits past the driver to the side or rear; mufflers optional and the cat can be replaced with pipe.
• Radiator: water only.

Tires and wheels (where most DQs happen)

• Only 235/55/17, 225/60/16 or 215/70/15, 330+ treadwear, under $160 a tire; no performance, directional or autocross tires.
• Stock steel wheels, all four the same size and offset, no spacers. 2002-and-older cars may run factory Dodge Charger 17" steel wheels.
• Soaking or treating tires costs the night’s purse and points, all track points for the year and a $1,000 fine.

This checklist follows the 2026 Crown Vic rule book. The rule book is the authority: 2026 Crown Vic rules (PDF).

Crown Vics are a regular part of the race-night program: 8 race nights in 2024, 7 race nights in 2025, 9 race nights in 2026 so far.

The next Crown Vic dates go on the schedule as soon as the track announces them.

The Crown Vic specials:

• Crown Vic Nationals
• “I Can’t Drive 55” Crown Vic Special

Standings: Crown Vic points.

1. Register your car and the Crown Vic class on MyRacePass before the race weekend.
2. Bring the car through tech inspection on its first visit to the track. After each feature, the top three go back to tech.
3. Buy pit passes for you and your crew. Pit passes at Cordele Motor Speedway are $75 for a two-day pass for adults 13 and up and $40 for a two-day pass for children 12 and under. A one-day pit pass is $40 for adults 13 and up and $20 for children 12 and under.

Entry fees are not published yet — ask the track before your first race. New to racing? Start with how to start racing at Cordele.