All images credit: Rich Carlson

The 2013 edition Ford Mustang Cobra Jet, the first of which was rolled out of the Automotive Alliance Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, Mich. and delivered to its surely-eager owner just two weeks ago, has already gained some notoriety and accolades, winning the Best Engineered Car award at the recently completed NHRA lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Division 7 event at the Woodburn Dragstrip in Woodburn, Ore.

Portland, Ore. Stock Eliminator competitor Gary Coe debuted his brand new AAA/SA ’13 Cobra Jet at event No. 4 on the Division 7 calendar, and although the numbers may not have been where he’d have liked through qualifying (No. 39 at -.095) and he bowed out in the opening round of eliminations, the NHRA staff chose the brand spankin’ new Cobra Jet as the Best Engineered vehicle at the event for its craftsmanship and ingenuity, and according to Ford Racing’s Andrew Casselberry, is the first factory-built race car to earn such an award.

Coe was the first of two racers to debut the brand new cars, now equipped with the impressive 5.0L “Coyote” powerplant, over the weekend. Stock and Super Stock ace Drew Skillman also debuted his brand new car, still in its from-the-factory condition, in the ADRL SuperCar Showdown at Martin, Mich.

With its debut in the books, Coe is planning to test the car next week at Woodburn before heading to Pomona in mid-August for the NMCA West Coast Shootout, where it will be entered in the Mustang Madness category.