Casey James Mears

Born:	March 12, 1978 (1978-03-12) (age 29)
Birthplace:	Bakersfield, California
Awards:	2006 24 Hours of Daytona overall co-winner
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Statistics
Car #, Team	25 - Hendrick Motorsports
2006 NEXTEL Cup Position:	14th
Best Cup Position:	14th - 2006 (NEXTEL Cup)
First Race:	2003 Daytona 500 (Daytona)
First Win:	2007 Coca-Cola 600 (Lowe's)
Last Win:	2007 Coca-Cola 600 (Lowe's)
Wins	Top Tens	Poles
1	30	3
NASCAR Busch Series Statistics
Car #, Team	#24 - Hendrick Motorsports
2006 NBS Position:	38th
Best NBS Position:	21st - 2002 (Busch Series)
First Race:	2001 GNC Live Well 300 (Homestead)
First Win:	2006 USG Durock 300 (Chicagoland)
Last Win:	2006 USG Durock 300 (Chicagoland)
Wins	Top Tens	Poles
1	27	4
All stats current as of July 7, 2007.

Casey James Mears (born March 12, 1978 in Bakersfield, California) is the driver of the #25 National Guard/GMAC Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports. He also drives the #24 National Guard Chevrolet in the NASCAR/Busch Series for Hendrick Motorsports. He is the nephew of four time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears and the son of Indy and off-road veteran Roger Mears, and he competed in 3 ChampCar races in 2001 after Alex Zanardi was injured in a race in Germany. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (900 × 1200 pixel, file size: 660 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Taken June 29, 2007 at New Hampshire International Speedway File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert... March 12 is the 71st day of the year (72nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Nickname: Location of Bakersfield, California Coordinates: , Country United States State California County Kern County Founded 1869 Government  - Mayor Harvey Hall Area  - City  131 sq mi (339. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... The Rolex 24 1/2 at Daytona (also frequently referred to as the 24 Hours of Daytona) is a 24-hour sports car endurance race held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. ... Jeff Burton (99), Elliott Sadler (38), Ricky Rudd (21), Dale Jarrett (88), Sterling Marlin (40), Jimmie Johnson (48), and Casey Mears (41) practice for the 2004 Daytona 500 The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States. ... The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series is NASCARs top racing series. ... Hendrick Motorsports is a group of NASCAR racing teams started by Rick Hendrick in 1984 under the name All Star Racing, racing only Chevrolets, racing in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series circuits. ... The 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season started at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 12 with the Bud Shootout and will end on Sunday, November 19 with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. ... The 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season started at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 12 with the Bud Shootout and will end on Sunday, November 19 with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. ... The 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup began on Saturday February 8 and ended on Sunday November 16. ... The Daytona 500 is a 200-lap, 500 mile (805 km) NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. ... Daytona International Speedway is a superspeedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. ... The 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season began on February 10, 2007 at Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout and will end with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 18 of that same year. ... The Coca-Cola 600 (formerly the World 600) is a six hundred mile (966 km) stock car race held annually at Lowes Motor Speedway (formerly Charlotte Motor Speedway) in Charlotte, North Carolina on Memorial Day weekend. ... Lowes Motor Speedway (formerly Charlotte Motor Speedway) is a speedway in Concord, North Carolina, north of Charlotte. ... The 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season began on February 10, 2007 at Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout and will end with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 18 of that same year. ... The Coca-Cola 600 (formerly the World 600) is a six hundred mile (966 km) stock car race held annually at Lowes Motor Speedway (formerly Charlotte Motor Speedway) in Charlotte, North Carolina on Memorial Day weekend. ... Lowes Motor Speedway (formerly Charlotte Motor Speedway) is a speedway in Concord, North Carolina, north of Charlotte. ... Jeff Burton (99), Elliott Sadler (38), Ricky Rudd (21), Dale Jarrett (88), Sterling Marlin (40), Jimmie Johnson (48), and Casey Mears (41) practice for the 2004 Daytona 500 The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States. ... The NASCAR Busch Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by NASCAR. It is NASCARs minor league circuit (often compared to Triple-A baseball), and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organizations big league circuit, the Nextel Cup. ... Hendrick Motorsports is a group of NASCAR racing teams started by Rick Hendrick in 1984 under the name All Star Racing, racing only Chevrolets, racing in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series circuits. ... The Busch Series is celebrating its 25th season with this special logo. ... The NASCAR Busch Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by NASCAR. It is NASCARs minor league circuit (often compared to Triple-A baseball), and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organizations big league circuit, the Nextel Cup. ... The NASCAR Busch Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by NASCAR. It is NASCARs minor league circuit (often compared to Triple-A baseball), and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organizations big league circuit, the Nextel Cup. ... The 2002 NASCAR Busch Series Season began February 16 and ended November 16. ... The 2001 NASCAR Busch Series Season began February 17 and ended November 10. ... The Ford 300 is a NASCAR Busch Series race that takes place at Homestead-Miami Speedway. ... Homestead-Miami Speedway is a speedway in Homestead, Florida, USA, southwest of Miami. ... The Busch Series is celebrating its 25th season with this special logo. ... The USG Durock 300 is a NASCAR Busch Series race that takes place at Chicagoland Speedway. ... Chicagoland Speedway is a speedway in Joliet, Illinois, USA, southwest of Chicago. ... The Busch Series is celebrating its 25th season with this special logo. ... The USG Durock 300 is a NASCAR Busch Series race that takes place at Chicagoland Speedway. ... Chicagoland Speedway is a speedway in Joliet, Illinois, USA, southwest of Chicago. ... is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 12 is the 71st day of the year (72nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Nickname: Location of Bakersfield, California Coordinates: , Country United States State California County Kern County Founded 1869 Government  - Mayor Harvey Hall Area  - City  131 sq mi (339. ... The United States National Guard is a component of the United States Army (the Army National Guard) and the United States Air Force (the Air National Guard). ... General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) is the financial services arm of General Motors, the worlds largest automobile manufacturer (by revenue). ... Chevrolet (IPA: ʃɛv. ... Jeff Burton (99), Elliott Sadler (38), Ricky Rudd (21), Dale Jarrett (88), Sterling Marlin (40), Jimmie Johnson (48), and Casey Mears (41) practice for the 2004 Daytona 500 The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States. ... Hendrick Motorsports is a group of NASCAR racing teams started by Rick Hendrick in 1984 under the name All Star Racing, racing only Chevrolets, racing in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series circuits. ... The United States National Guard is a component of the United States Army (the Army National Guard) and the United States Air Force (the Air National Guard). ... Chevrolet (IPA: ʃɛv. ... “Indy 500” redirects here. ... Rick Ravon Mears (born December 3, 1951 in Wichita, Kansas) is an American race car driver. ... Roger Mears (born March 24, 1947, Wichita, Kansas), is a former off-road driver who also drove in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. ... Champcar has been the name for the class of cars used in the United States premier open wheel auto racing series for decades. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... Alessandro Alex Zanardi, b. ...

Mears added arguably the most impressive win to his resume on January 29, 2006 when he, Scott Dixon, and Dan Wheldon teamed up to win the 44th annual Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona for Chip Ganassi racing. They set a race record for the Daytona Prototype category, running 723 laps in 24 hours to score the win. Mears became the first ever full-time NASCAR driver to win the Rolex 24. January 29 is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Scott Ronald Dixon (born July 22, 1980) is a New Zealand motor racing driver who won the Indy Racing League (IRL) championship in 2003 at his first attempt. ... Dan Wheldon in Gasoline Alley at Indianapolis 2007 Dan Wheldon at Indianapolis during week 2 qualifications 2007 Dan Wheldon signs autographs for fans following Pole Day qualifications for the 2007 Indianapolis 500. ... The Rolex 24 1/2 at Daytona (also frequently referred to as the 24 Hours of Daytona) is a 24-hour sports car endurance race held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. ... Floyd Chip Ganassi (born May 24, 1958 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and educated at local Duquesne University) is a former American racecar driver and current racecar owner. ... The Grand American Road Racing Association or Grand-Am is an auto racing sanctioning body that was established in 1999 to organize endurance road racing competitions in North America. ...

Mears made his NASCAR debut in the Busch Series in 2001 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, driving the 66 car for Cicci-Welliver Racing. He started 21st and finished 28th. When the team was sold to Wayne Jesel the next season, Mears drove for them full-time, finishing 21st in points with two top-ten finishes. To the surprise of many, he was selected by Chip Ganassi Racing to drive the #41 Target Dodge in 2003. In his rookie season, he finished 35th after failing to finish in the top-ten in any race. He drove the car for two additional seasons, and won two poles in 2004. During the 2005 season, it was announced Mears would move to a separate car for Chip Ganassi with Home123 sponsorship, with the #41 to be piloted by Reed Sorenson. The Home123 sponsorship fell through and he instead moved to the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge for Ganassi, replacing the departing Jamie McMurray. The NASCAR Busch Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by NASCAR. It is NASCARs minor league circuit (often compared to Triple-A baseball), and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organizations big league circuit, the Nextel Cup. ... The 2001 NASCAR Busch Series Season began February 17 and ended November 10. ... Homestead-Miami Speedway is a speedway in Homestead, Florida, USA, southwest of Miami. ... Frank Cicci Racing with Jim Kelly is a NASCAR Busch Series team. ... Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is a racing organization with teams in NASCAR, Champ Cars, and the IRL. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates. ... This article is about the United States retail company. ... The 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup began on Saturday February 8 and ended on Sunday November 16. ... The 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup season began on Saturday, February 7 and ended on Sunday, November 21. ... The 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup season began on Saturday, February 12. ... Bradley Reed Sorenson (born February 5, 1986 in Peachtree City, Georgia) is a NASCAR driver who currently drives the #41 Target Dodge Charger in the NEXTEL Cup and the #41 Wrigleys Dodge in the Busch Series for Chip Ganassi Racing. ... Texaco is the name of an American oil company that was merged into Chevron Corporation in 2001. ... Havoline is a motor oil brand of the Texaco Oil Company. ... James Christopher Jamie McMurray (born June 3, 1976 in Joplin, Missouri) is a NASCAR driver. ...

On Friday June 9, 2006 it was confirmed that Casey Mears intended to leave Chip Ganassi Racing at the end of the season, and join Hendrick Motorsports for the 2007 season, to replace the departing Brian Vickers. June 9 is the 160th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (161st in leap years), with 205 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Hendrick Motorsports is a group of NASCAR racing teams started by Rick Hendrick in 1984 under the name All Star Racing, racing only Chevrolets, racing in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series circuits. ... The 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season began on February 10 at Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout and will end with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. ... Brian Lee Vickers is an American NASCAR driver, from Thomasville, North Carolina. ...

On July 8, he finally won his first NASCAR race, a Busch Series race at Chicagoland Speedway, coasting to the finish after running out of fuel. is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Chicagoland Speedway is a speedway in Joliet, Illinois, USA, southwest of Chicago. ...

For the 2007 season, Mears assumed driving duties for the #25 Hendrick car, with co-primary sponsorship from the Army National Guard and GMAC. On May 27 he won the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte for his first career Nextel Cup victory. He obtained the lead in the race with five laps remaining when most other lead lap cars stopped for fuel. Mears stretched his fuel to the finish, and ran out of fuel moments after his first checkered flag. ^[1] Since this, Casey has hit his stride, earning a 13th place finish in the Autism Speaks 400 and back to back 4th place finishes in the Pocono 500 and Citizens Bank 400. In all four races, Mears finished on the lead lap. In the previous ten races, Casey finished on the lead lap just once, in the Food City 500. These runs attribute to Casey's climb from 35th in points after the Dodge Avenger 500 to 18th. is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Coca-Cola 600 (formerly World 600) is a six hundred mile stock car race held annually at Lowes Motor Speedway (formerly Charlotte Motor Speedway) in Charlotte, North Carolina on Memorial Day weekend. ... Lowes Motor Speedway (formerly Charlotte Motor Speedway) is a speedway in Concord, North Carolina, north of Charlotte. ... The Autism Speaks 400 presented by Visa is the first of two NASCAR Nextel Cup stock car races held at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. ... The Pocono 500 is the first of two stock car races held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on the NASCAR Nextel Cup schedule, the other being the Pennsylvania 500. ... The Citizens Bank 400 is the first of two NASCAR Nextel Cup stock car races held at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, the other being the 3M Performance 400. ... The Food City 500 is a NASCAR Nextel Cup stock car race held at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. ... The Dodge Avenger 500 is a NASCAR Nextel Cup stock car race held at the Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. ...

On July 13, 2007 he won his first pole of the season and with Hendrick Motorsports at Chicagoland Speedway. is the 194th day of the year (195th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Hendrick Motorsports is a group of NASCAR racing teams started by Rick Hendrick in 1984 under the name All Star Racing, racing only Chevrolets, racing in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series circuits. ... Chicagoland Speedway is a speedway in Joliet, Illinois, USA, southwest of Chicago. ...

Personal

• Mears is neighbors with NASCAR crew chief Michael McSwain and this was mentioned on-air when Mears an up-an-coming driver at the time cut Ricky Rudd off in practice by accident in Daytona and McSwain spoke to Mears after practice and the two were running together in the 2004 Bud Shootout.
• Mears won the pole at Indianapolis Motor Speedway where his uncle, Rick, had success.
• Throughout his Nextel Cup career Mears has improved his final points position every year from 2003 from 35th, to 22nd in 2004 and 2005 and to 14th in 2006.
• Mears is from a very successful crop of drivers hailing from California including fellow Bakersfield native Kevin Harvick, Robby Gordon from Cerritos, David Gilliland from Riverside, Jeff Gordon from Vallejo and Jimmie Johnson from El Cajon.
• Was former Houston Texans and currently Carolina Panthers quarterback David Carr's high school teammate on the football team and Mears played running back at Stockdale High School.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana (a separate town completely surrounded by Indianapolis) in the United States, is the second-oldest surviving automobile racing track in the world (after the Milwaukee Mile), having existed since 1909, and the original Speedway, the first racing facility historically to incorporate the word. ... Rick Ravon Mears (born December 3, 1951 in Wichita, Kansas) is an American race car driver. ... The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series is NASCARs top racing series. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Bakersfield is the county seat of Kern County, California, in the United States. ... For the racing team owned by Kevin Harvick and his wife Delana, see Kevin Harvick Incorporated. ... Robby Gordon (born in Bellflower, California, on January 2, 1969) is an American racing driver who currently competes in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, owning his #7 Ford Fusion, sponsored by Jim Beam, although he has also raced in the NASCAR Busch and Craftsman Truck series, Champ Car, the IRL... City nicknames: The Geographic Center of Southern California The Freeway City County: Los Angeles County, California Mayor: Paul W. Bowlen (re-elected 2003) Mayor Pro Tem: Laura Lee (elected 2003) City Council: Jim Edwards (elected 2005) Gloria A. Kappe (re-elected 2003) John F. Crawley (re-elected 2005) Mottos: A... David Gilliland (born on April 1, 1976 in Riverside, California) is a NASCAR driver. ... Riverside is the county seat of Riverside County, California, United States. ... Jeffery Michael Gordon (born August 4, 1971) is a professional American race car driver. ... Vallejo is a city located in Solano County, California. ... James Kenneth Johnson (born September 17, 1975, El Cajon, California) is a current NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race car driver who drives the #48 Lowes Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS and Chevrolet Impala SS owned by his teammate Jeff Gordon and operated by Rick Hendricks Hendrick Motorsports. ... El Cajon (pronounced el ka-HONE) is a city located in San Diego County, California. ... City Houston, Texas Team colors Deep Steel Blue, Battle Red, and Liberty White Head Coach Gary Kubiak Owner Robert C. McNair General manager Rick Smith Mascot Toro League/Conference affiliations National Football League (2002–present) American Football Conference (2002-present) AFC South (2002-present) Team history Houston Texans (2002–present... City Charlotte, North Carolina Other nicknames The Cardiac Cats Team colors Black, Panther Blue, and Silver Head Coach John Fox Owner Jerry Richardson General manager Marty Hurney Mascot Sir Purr League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1995–present) National Football Conference (1995-present) NFC West (1995-2001) NFC South (2002... David Carr (born July 21, 1979, in Bakersfield, California) is an American football player. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

NEXTEL Cup Statistics

Mears in a #42 test car in 2006

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

Busch Series Statistics

Last Updated: June 18, 2007 Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 169th day of the year (170th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

• Career statistics at Racing-Reference.info

External links

• Official Website of Casey Mears
• NEXTEL Cup Driver Page at NASCAR.com
• Casey Mears at Daytona 500 Racing