Casey Mears is on the verge of joining an elite group of drivers with 500 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series, currently sitting at 490 races. This milestone is significant, as only 47 drivers have reached 500 or more starts in NASCAR history, including active competitors such as Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Michael McDowell. Mears’ ongoing presence highlights his longevity and consistency in one of motorsport’s most demanding competitions.
Highlights of Mears’ Career Achievements and Racing Expertise
Among Mears’ key accomplishments is his victory in the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway during Memorial Day weekend in 2007. With approximately 3,000 drivers having started NASCAR Cup Series races in the sport’s 77-year history, only 206 have ever won a race, placing Mears in a select group with proven race-winning ability. Beyond his wins, Mears has demonstrated exceptional skill on restrictor-plate tracks, particularly at Daytona International Speedway.
The Bakersfield, California-native is renowned for his ability to stay out of trouble on one of NASCAR’s most challenging circuits, completing 4,234 of 4,528 laps at Daytona, yielding a remarkable 93.5% lap completion rate. This accomplishment speaks to his patience, strategic driving, and sharp reflexes on the 2.5-mile, high-banked tri-oval known for frequent crashes and unpredictable racing.
Partnerships and Team Dynamics Fueling Mears’ Current Campaign
Mears currently competes with team owner Carl Long, a respected figure in NASCAR with over 30 years of experience as both driver and owner. Their collaboration brings together longevity and expertise as Mears pursues milestones and wins. Sponsorship plays a vital role in supporting this effort, notably from S.I. Yachts, a prominent dealer representing Viking Yachts and Valhalla Boatworks, owned by Germain Motor Company.
This sponsorship relationship holds personal significance for Mears since he previously drove the No. 13 car for Germain Racing between 2010 and 2016. The connection to Germain Racing and Bob Germain himself created a strong partnership, blending professional history with ongoing collaboration. In addition, Acrisure continues as a major associate sponsor after debuting with the team at Martinsville.
Numerical Legacy Associated with the Number 66
The No. 66 Ford Mustang, driven by Mears and sponsored by S.I. Yachts, marks another chapter in Mears’ career tied to this number. This is not his first time racing under number 66; he previously drove the No. 66 Pioneer–WorldCom car in the CART FedEx Championship Series and the No. 66 Phillips 66/Injex Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, underscoring a recurring motif in his racing journey.
Casey Mears Reflects on His Partnership with Bob Germain
“It’s really special running with Bob and having his and his family’s support for Daytona. I think when I ended up at Germain Racing in 2010, I needed them and they needed me. I was at a point in my career where I wasn’t sure which direction to take, but I had accumulated a lot of experience and knowledge from working with elite organizations and had the tools to help them grow. When you collectively go through something like that, growing a Cup team from the beginning, it creates close relationships with the people around you. I was with Germain Racing for nearly seven seasons, so working with them to build the program from a part-time effort to a competitive, full-time program was super rewarding. But you navigate a lot of challenges together, which resulted in a special, lifetime relationship between Bob and me. For him to step up now to help me hit the 500 start mark is incredibly generous, and I lack the words to quantify my appreciation. He means a lot to me, and I’m thankful we get to do this together.”
—Casey Mears, NASCAR Driver
Why Mears Excels at Daytona’s Demanding Tri-Oval
“We all know Daytona can be unpredictable, but over time, they’ve constantly changed the rules there, so I think being able to adapt to different packages and the change in the style of racing is beneficial. Early in my career, I got caught up in a lot of incidents, but the longer you’re around it, you’re able to start reading the room better and get a feel for if the drivers around you are getting antsy, and you sense the potential for a crash. You’re able to quickly put yourself in a better situation, and sometimes that’s dropping to the rear of the field, which is often a prevailing strategy at the plate races, and a smarter decision. The key is to make it to the end of the race, make your way to the front and have a shot at it. I haven’t been in the pack for a while, so it’s going to be interesting to see how it plays out this weekend, but hopefully it all comes back to me like it did at Martinsville.”
—Casey Mears, NASCAR Driver
Outlook and Goals for the Upcoming Daytona Race
Mears approaches the upcoming race at Daytona with cautious optimism, acknowledging the challenges ahead, especially with zero practice scheduled and qualifying rounds as the only chance for track time prior to the race. His extensive experience on restrictor-plate tracks fuels high hopes for a strong finish or potentially a win if circumstances allow. The team has secured a competitive Roush-Yates engine and assembled a capable pit crew, giving Mears confidence in their preparation.
“It’s really going to depend on how the car feels. I have lofty goals, thanks to my past experience, so if we can get the car halfway decent, we can hopefully get up front and get a really solid finish, or even a win if favorable circumstances present themselves. The caveat is that there will be zero practice this weekend, so my qualifying laps will be the only track time I get before being in the middle of the pack. I will need the opening laps of the race just to get a sense of how my car will draft with the other cars around me. In the past, I’ve taken cars at Daytona that have struggled with single-car speed and got to the front and got a good result, but I’ve also had a really good car and got caught up at the wrong place and wrong time, so you never know, but I’m always optimistic. Carl (Long) was able to get us a good Roush-Yates engine under the hood and a strong pit crew, and the guys in the Garage 66 shop have put together a good car, so I’m excited to get on the track. As long as we do our job and put everything together properly, there’s no reason we can’t run up front and compete for a win.”
—Casey Mears, NASCAR Driver
The Significance of Reaching 500 Starts in NASCAR
As Mears advances toward the 500-start milestone, his career stands as a testament to enduring commitment and adaptability in NASCAR. Entering this exclusive club signifies not only talent but also resilience in a highly competitive environment. His ties to Germain Racing and his ongoing partnerships underscore strong relationships that have supported his journey.
This milestone also brings into focus Mears’ potential to deliver more compelling performances, especially on tracks where he has historically excelled, such as Daytona. Fans and teams alike will be watching closely as he attempts to transform experience into success during one of the most demanding events in the NASCAR Cup Series calendar.