Casey Mears News

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June 15, 2006:

C. Mears to Hendrick Motorsports Officially: Car owner Rick Hendrick today announced the signing of driver Casey Mears to pilot Hendrick Motorsports' #25 Chevys in the Nextel Cup Series beginning in 2007. Financial terms were not disclosed. Mears, 28, inked a multi-year agreement that will keep him with the team through at least the 2009 racing season. He will replace Brian Vickers, who is slated to complete the current schedule after being granted a release from contractual obligations to Hendrick Motorsports beyond 2006. "Casey is a talented driver and a high-character person who is going to be a great fit with our organization," Hendrick said. "He has the ability to win races and ultimately contend for championships, so we're thrilled to welcome him to Hendrick Motorsports." In the midst of his fourth full season, Mears has posted two pole positions, five top-five finishes and 21 top-10s on the NEXTEL Cup circuit. The Bakersfield, Calif., native kicked off the 2006 campaign with a career-best second-place performance in the Feb. 19 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, where on Jan. 29 he became the first full-time NASCAR driver to be part of a winning Grand American Rolex 24 team. "I'm committed to winning races and going after championships with the #25 team," said Mears, the son of legendary off-road racer Roger Mears and nephew of four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Rick Mears. "This is an opportunity for me to work with close friends and start fresh with one of the top organizations in all of sports. It's an exciting situation for me, both personally and professionally." (Hendrick Motorsports PR)

June 8, 2006:

Vickers seeks release from Hendrick, Mears likely to replace him: Brian Vickers asked for and received permission from Hendrick Motorsports to look for a new ride, and Casey Mears was in line to replace him Thursday after informing car owner Chip Ganassi he won't be returning next year. Mears' decision comes after weeks of his steadfast claims that he wanted to extend his contract with Ganassi and was not interested in talking to other teams. Ganassi hired Mears in 2003 and stuck with him despite several mediocre seasons. "I wish him well," Ganassi said. "I obviously take a lot of pleasure in the fact that I brought Casey a long way, and hopefully his next step will be as fruitful for him as his last step was."  Ganassi said he'll begin his search immediately for a driver for his No. 42 Dodge. But the talent pool is thin, even with Vickers now in it. He's likely headed to either Robert Yates Racing's top seat in the No. 88 Ford, or to one of the Toyota seats for its inaugural 2007 season. "Brian came to us recently and expressed his desire to explore opportunities outside our organization," Hendrick spokesman Jesse Essex said Thursday. "Although he is under contract, we have given him permission to do so." (Sporting News)

May 21, 2006:

Sadler, Mears looking at Toyota Team Red-Bull? Dodge's Casey Mears may be signing with Red Bull for 2007, leaving Chip Ganassi. Mears, in the final year of his Ganassi contract, was courted by car owner Richard Childress, either to fill Kevin Harvick's ride if Harvick had decided to leave, or to run a fourth Childress car.  Ford's Elliott Sadler may also be signing with Red Bull, leaving Robert Yates, who is already dealing with the defection of Dale Jarrett to Toyota's Michael Waltrip for 2007. (Salem-Journal)

April 30, 2006:

Busch and Mears have yet to talk: Kyle Busch would like to apologize to Casey Mears, but his NASCAR Nextel Cup competitor won't call him. The 20-year-old Busch said he has yet to talk with Mears since their on-track run-in last week in Phoenix. "I've tried to talk to Casey," Busch said. "I left a message with Brian Vickers, who is a very close friend of his and mine, to give him my phone number, and I haven't heard back from him." Mears didn't sound very forgiving this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. "I know that he'd call and apologize because a lot of people told him he should call and apologize, not because he really wants to," Mears said. "I'm glad he didn't [call], because I wouldn't have taken it as a true apology anyway." (Myrtle Beach Sun News)

Mears in talks with Ganassi for extension: Casey Mears said he and car owner Chip Ganassi are discussing a contract extension. Mears, who finished a career-high second at Daytona, is in the final year of his contract.  (News14)

April 27, 2006:

Mears being looked at by several teams, including RCR:  One year removed from dire job insecurity, Mears is one of the hottest commodities in the garage. Several organizations have inquired about signing him to a contract, including RCR. RCR team sources tell me the organization would like to add a fourth team with Mears as driver, but RCR spokesman David Hart discounted the speculation Wednesday. "No decisions have been made to add a fourth team with Casey Mears or any other driver," Hart said. (NASCAR.com's Marty Smith)

Nov. 7, 2005:

Mears promoted in Ganassi Racing, moves to #42: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) and its sponsor Chevron Products Company announced today that they have selected Casey Mears to pilot the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge starting in 2006. In addition, CGRFS has agreed to release Jamie McMurray from his contract to drive for the organization through the '06 NEXTEL Cup Series season. "We've been working hard to find a driver solution for Texaco/Havoline and we are fortunate that we could offer them Casey," said team owner Chip Ganassi. "Some recent positive developments have allowed us to make this move and we couldn't be happier with how things are shaping up for the 2006 season. Casey is a driver and a person that we think a lot of and have a lot of faith in." Mears has been with CGRFS since being selected by the organization to drive its #41 NEXTEL Cup Series entry in 2003. He has competed in 106 races and recorded two poles, three top-five finishes and 17 top-10 finishes. "I couldn't be more excited about the opportunity to drive the Texaco/Havoline Dodge next season," said Mears. "Texaco/Havoline has been a sponsor in this sport for a long time and they've had an impressive list of drivers compete and win in their cars. I look forward to joining that group and taking them and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates back to Victory Lane." In 2006, Texaco/Havoline will embark on its 19th season as a NASCAR sponsor. (Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)

Mears to be promoted in Ganassi Camp? There is speculation that if Ganassi can't get a top-name driver for the McMurray-Texaco ride, he is willing to promote Casey Mears. (Winston Salem Journal)

Sep. 29, 2005:

Target, #41 & BCRF Team Up: in the Fight Against Breast Cancer In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Target, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) and Casey Mears will team up once again to promote breast cancer awareness to racing fans across the country. The #41 Target Dodge will sport a special pink paint scheme for the second year in a row that will carry the logo of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Mears will take the helm of the pink Dodge Charger for five NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races in October: Talladega, Kansas, Lowe's Motor Speedway, Martinsville and Atlanta. There are 30 million female NASCAR fans in the United States, and according to the most recent statistics, the chances of a woman having invasive breast cancer during her lifetime is about one in seven. Therefore, over four million of NASCAR's female fans may be affected by breast cancer in their lifetime. Mears will auction his one-of-a-kind BCRF helmet designed and donated by Troy Lee Designs on eBay with all of the proceeds going directly to BCRF. Mears will be wearing this special helmet in all five races in October. The bidding will run from October 1 through the end of month. Target and Action Performance have created a diecast replica of the pink #41 Target Dodge, as well as special Target/BCRF t-shirts and hats. These items will be sold online, at the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates shop and at Mears' trackside trailer. Target, Action, CGRFS and Mears have all agreed to donate the profits from the sale of these items to the BCRF. Target will unveil, for the second consecutive year, an exclusive line of pink-themed products. The pink product collection will be available online at www.target.com/breastcancer with select items available in stores starting October 1 through October 31. For more information about BCRF visit www.bcrfcure.org.(Chip Ganassi Racing)

Sep. 14, 2005:

Mears testing at Nashville: Nashville Superspeedway is hosting Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates #41 Target Dodge car with driver Casey Mears and crew chief on Tuesday [9/13] and Wed [9/14]. Here are some quotes from Tuesday's test: Jimmy Elledge - Crew Chief "We're here at the Nashville Superspeedway for a two-day test and we're researching the way the #41 Target Dodge reacts aerodynamically. This is a good, smooth, sensitive track so I think we'll take away some positives." (Nashville Superspeedway PR)

Aug 12, 2005:

Sorenson In, Mears to stay: Casey Mears, meanwhile, will remain with Ganassi in a different car, the sources said. The car number has not yet been determined, but the sponsor will be mortgage lender Home123. Mears had an option in his contract for 2006 that the team picked up, removing him from the free-agent market. Ganassi's planned 2006 lineup -- Jamie McMurray, Mears, Sorenson and David Stremme -- will have two rookies, and all four drivers are under 30 years old with just one Nextel Cup win among them (McMurray in 2002).   McMurray has signed to drive the No. 6 Ford for Roush Racing in 2007 and, by announcing it so early, had hoped to get Ganassi to let him leave early. The car owner has been heavily scrutinized for refusing to do so. (Review Journal)

July 19, 2005

Mears Out and Sorenson In? He has had a less than stellar two-plus seasons at Chip Ganassi Racing, despite the support of veteran crew chief Jimmy Elledge. Car sponsor Target isn't pleased, but given that Mears has been the third-string driver, his results are not surprising. Word is that Busch rookie sensation Reed Sorenson will get the nod for the No. 41 Dodge in 2006. Possibilities mentioned for Mears include the No. 2 at Penske Racing and the No. 10 at Evernham. There also has been the suggestion that he'll drive Sorenson's Busch car. (Sporting News/Lee Spencer)

July 16, 2005

Mears safe? Casey Mears appears to be safe in Chip Ganassi's Dodges for another season, according to sources familiar with the situation. Mears has been anxiously awaiting official word from Ganassi about his future. Word that rival team owner Roger Penske is interested in Mears as Rusty Wallace's replacement may be spurring Ganassi to exercise his option to keep Mears. (Salem-Journal)

July 9, 2005

Mears with Penske and #2?  No. 2 Dodge: With McMurray out of the picture, Casey Mears' name has popped up as replacing the retiring Rusty Wallace at Penske Racing South. Mears, who drives the No. 41 for Chip Ganassi Racing, said yesterday he is waiting to hear from Ganassi on next year. "I've been told they want me around next season, but that's the extent of it," he said. "I just haven't seen anything solid that says I'm going to be there. I'm happy with my team. I think we can improve and do a lot better than we're doing now, so if I stick around, I'd be happy with that. If not, I'm keeping options open to go do something else. But right now it's their option, and as soon as they let me know I can make a decision. . . . The longer they wait to tell me anything hurts me." (Times-Dispatch)

June 22, 2005

NASCAR penalties includes Mears: NASCAR announced today that a  NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series crew chief fined. Jimmy Elledge, crew chief for the #41 Dodge driven by Casey Mears, was fined $1,000 for unapproved body modifications after inspection, a violation of Section 12-4-1 and Section 12-4-Q.(NASCAR PR)

June 19, 2005

Stremme and Sorenson to Cup, Mears to stay: As a result, at a press conference later today Ganassi will start reshaping the future of the team by formally announcing long-rumored changes that will yield Marlin's No. 40 Dodge to driver David Stremme. "It wasn't an easy decision, I'll tell you that," Ganassi said. "I'm sure if you were to ask Rick Hendrick if Tim Richmond or Geoff Bodine contributed to his team's overall success, he'd answer 'yes.' "Sterling's done that for us, too, and that's why I'm not just cutting him loose, even though at the end of this contract I didn't owe him anything." Engineered by Ganassi, Marlin will get a substantial, six-figure, three-year personal services contract -- the money coming in equal parts from Ganassi and Coors. According to Ganassi, the changes won't stop with the No. 40 Dodge -- though such aren't scheduled to be formally announced today. Reed Sorenson, also recent grist in the rumor mill, will be moving up to Cup, too -- but not at the expense of Casey Mears, as many have predicted. (News-Journal)

June 12 2005

More on Gannasi: Changes are expected involving the No. 41 team and driver Casey Mears. Sources say owner Chip Ganassi plans to clean the entire house, making way for Busch Series rookie sensation Reed Sorenson and crew chief Brian Pattie. Mears' crew chief, Jimmy Elledge, has been mentioned as a potential crew chief for Stremme. (News-Journal)

June 6 2005

Major Gannasi Shakeup? Sterling Marlin still hasn't been officially told what the plans are for the No. 40 Dodge in 2006, but he says he's not ready to retire. "I'd like to race another two or three years and then go fishing," says Marlin, who'll turn 48 on June 30. Marlin has spoken with several teams and hopes to have a plan solidified in the next two weeks. Busch driver David Stremme is considered the heir apparent in the 40. He could replace Marlin for the last seven races of the season, gaining experience while not jeopardizing his rookie status for next season. Changes are expected involving the No. 41 team and driver Casey Mears. Sources say owner Chip Ganassi plans to clean the entire house, making way for Busch Series rookie sensation Reed Sorenson and crew chief Brian Pattie. (FOXSport's Lee Spencer)

April 24, 2005

Mears Looking for Extension: Casey Mears said he still doesn't have a contract to remain with Ganassi Racing in 2006, but he's not worried about receiving an extension. "Right now all the indications are that's what we're going to do," he said. The team is expected to replace Mears' teammate, Sterling Marlin (East Valley Tribune)

Current Casey Mears News