Who is Casey Mears and what is his primary profession?

Casey James Mears, born on March 12, 1978, is an American professional racing driver. He is known for competing in off-road racing and stock car racing, including part-time participation in the NASCAR Cup Series.

When and where was Casey Mears born?

Casey Mears was born on March 12, 1978, in Bakersfield, California.

How did Casey Mears begin his racing career?

Casey Mears began his racing career in go-karts in 1991. The following year, he started competing in the SuperLites Off-Road Series, achieving several top-three finishes.

What were Casey Mears' early achievements in sprint car racing?

In 1994, Mears moved to sprint cars and finished third in the Jim Russell USAC Triple Crown Championship, including a win at Mesa Marin Raceway. He went on to win the USAC series championship the next season.

When did Casey Mears make his debut in the Indy Lights series, and what was his performance?

Casey Mears made his Dayton Indy Lights debut in 1996 at the Cleveland Grand Prix, finishing eighth. He competed full-time in the Indy Lights championship in 1997 and finished second in the standings in 1999, completing every lap of every race that season.

What significant open-wheel racing achievements did Casey Mears have in 2000?

In 2000, Casey Mears won his first Indy Lights race at the Grand Prix of Houston. He also made his CART Series debut for Team Rahal at California Speedway, qualifying fifteenth, leading ten laps, and achieving a career-best fourth-place finish.

Describe Casey Mears' experience in the IndyCar Series (IRL) and CART in 2001.

In 2001, Mears competed in three IRL events, attempting to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 but not making the field. He also filled in for the injured Alex Zanardi in the CART Series, securing one top-ten finish in four starts.

What was Casey Mears' overall record in his CART and IRL starts?

Casey Mears had five CART starts with one top-five finish, and three IRL starts with no top-five finishes.

When and where did Casey Mears make his NASCAR debut?

Casey Mears made his NASCAR debut in the Busch Series (now Xfinity Series) in 2001 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, driving the No. 66 car for Cicci-Welliver Racing.

Which team signed Casey Mears for his NASCAR Cup Series rookie season in 2003?

To the surprise of many, Casey Mears was signed by Chip Ganassi Racing to drive the No. 41 Target Dodge in the NASCAR Cup Series for his rookie season in 2003.

What were Casey Mears' results in the ARCA series while racing for Chip Ganassi Racing?

While driving for Ganassi in ARCA races during 2003, Casey Mears achieved significant success, winning three races. These victories included one at Michigan International Speedway and sweeping both races at Pocono Raceway.

What notable near-victories did Casey Mears experience in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2004 and 2005?

In 2004, Mears led late in the Sirius at the Glen but was passed with twelve laps remaining, finishing fourth. In 2005 at Homestead, he held a 28-second lead before a late caution erased it, forcing a pit stop that cost him the win.

Which team did Casey Mears join for the 2007 NASCAR Cup Series season, replacing whom?

For the 2007 season, Casey Mears moved to Hendrick Motorsports, taking over the driving duties for the No. 25 Chevrolet and replacing Brian Vickers.

What was Casey Mears' first NASCAR victory, and where did it occur?

Casey Mears secured his first NASCAR victory on July 8, 2006, in a Busch Series race at Chicagoland Speedway. He coasted to the finish line after running out of fuel.

Describe Casey Mears' most significant NASCAR Cup Series win.

Casey Mears achieved his first and only NASCAR Cup Series victory on May 27, 2007, in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He won by stretching his fuel to the finish line after taking the lead with five laps remaining, benefiting from a fuel gamble.

Which team did Casey Mears drive for in 2008, and who replaced him at Hendrick Motorsports?

In 2008, Casey Mears moved to the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, driven by Alan Gustafson. After a winless season, he was released by Hendrick Motorsports and replaced by Mark Martin.

What team did Casey Mears join after leaving Hendrick Motorsports in 2008?

Following his departure from Hendrick Motorsports, Casey Mears was announced as the driver of Richard Childress Racing's No. 07 Chevrolet Impala SS.

What challenges did Casey Mears face during the 2010 NASCAR season?

In 2010, Casey Mears struggled, failing to qualify for the Daytona 500 and several other races, ending a streak of 252 consecutive starts. He also moved between multiple teams, including Key Motorsports, Tommy Baldwin Racing, and Team Red Bull.

Which team did Casey Mears drive for from 2011 to 2016, and what were his key achievements during that period?

From 2011 to 2016, Casey Mears drove for Germain Racing. His best championship finish during this time was 24th in 2013. He achieved the team's best oval track finish of ninth in the 2013 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona.

What incident occurred between Casey Mears and Marcos Ambrose in 2014?

During the 2014 Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond, Casey Mears and Marcos Ambrose were involved in a late racing incident, which led to a fistfight between the two drivers after the race. Mears was subsequently fined $15,000 and placed on probation.

Who replaced Casey Mears at Germain Racing starting in 2017?

Ty Dillon replaced Casey Mears in the No. 13 car for Germain Racing starting in the 2017 season.

In which series did Casey Mears compete in 2017 after leaving Germain Racing?

After leaving Germain Racing, Casey Mears competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2017, driving the No. 98 Ford Mustang for Biagi-DenBeste Racing for fourteen races.

When did Casey Mears return to the NASCAR Cup Series after a hiatus, and for which team?

Casey Mears returned to the Cup Series in 2019 with Germain Racing, driving the No. 27 Chevrolet at the Daytona 500. He later returned in 2023 for MBM Motorsports (Garage 66) at the Cook Out 400.

What was Casey Mears' performance in the 2023 return to the Cup Series?

In his return to the Cup Series in 2023 with MBM Motorsports, Casey Mears finished 35th at Martinsville, eleven laps down. He also competed in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona later that season.

What significant endurance race did Casey Mears win in 2006?

In 2006, Casey Mears won the 24 Hours of Daytona alongside Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon. They set a race record for the Daytona Prototype category by completing 734 laps.

What distinction did Casey Mears achieve by winning the 2006 24 Hours of Daytona?

By winning the 2006 24 Hours of Daytona, Casey Mears became the first full-time NASCAR driver to win that prestigious endurance race overall.

When did Casey Mears participate in desert racing, and in which event?

Following his family's legacy, Casey Mears entered desert racing in 2019, debuting in SCORE International's Baja 1000. He co-drove a Ford Raptor trophy truck.

What was Casey Mears' result in his 2019 Baja 1000 debut?

In his 2019 Baja 1000 debut, after encountering engine issues, the Mears-Fortin duo finished 28th overall and twelfth in the Trophy Truck class.

Who did Casey Mears co-drive with in the Baja 1000 in 2021?

Casey Mears returned to the Baja 1000 in 2021, co-driving the No. 77 trophy truck with Robby Gordon.

When did Casey Mears make his debut in the Stadium Super Trucks series?

Casey Mears made his debut in the Stadium Super Trucks series in December 2017 at the Lake Elsinore Diamond rounds.

What was Casey Mears' best finish in the NASCAR Cup Series in terms of championship standings?

Casey Mears achieved his best NASCAR Cup Series championship finish of 14th in the 2006 season.

How many NASCAR Cup Series wins does Casey Mears have?

Casey Mears has one NASCAR Cup Series win, which was the Coca-Cola 600 in 2007.

How many poles did Casey Mears secure in the NASCAR Cup Series?

Casey Mears secured 3 poles in the NASCAR Cup Series.

What was Casey Mears' total number of top-ten finishes in the NASCAR Cup Series?

Casey Mears recorded 51 top-ten finishes in the NASCAR Cup Series.

How many races did Casey Mears run in the NASCAR Cup Series?

Casey Mears ran 491 races in the NASCAR Cup Series over 16 years.

What was Casey Mears' best finish in the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship?

Casey Mears' best finish in the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship was 20th in 2007.

How many wins did Casey Mears achieve in the NASCAR Xfinity Series?

Casey Mears achieved 1 win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

How many poles did Casey Mears secure in the NASCAR Xfinity Series?

Casey Mears secured 4 poles in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

What was Casey Mears' total number of top-ten finishes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series?

Casey Mears recorded 34 top-ten finishes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

How many races did Casey Mears run in the NASCAR Xfinity Series?

Casey Mears ran 107 races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series over 10 years.

How many ARCA Menards Series races did Casey Mears participate in?

Casey Mears participated in 6 ARCA Menards Series races over 3 years.

What was Casey Mears' best championship finish in the ARCA Menards Series?

Casey Mears' best championship finish in the ARCA Menards Series was 26th in 2003.

How many wins did Casey Mears achieve in the ARCA Menards Series?

Casey Mears achieved 3 wins in the ARCA Menards Series.

How many poles did Casey Mears secure in the ARCA Menards Series?

Casey Mears secured 2 poles in the ARCA Menards Series.

How many races did Casey Mears run in the IndyCar Series?

Casey Mears ran 3 races in the IndyCar Series over 1 year.

What was Casey Mears' best championship finish in the IndyCar Series?

Casey Mears' best championship finish in the IndyCar Series was 31st in 2001.

How many wins and podiums did Casey Mears achieve in the IndyCar Series?

Casey Mears had 0 wins and 0 podiums in the IndyCar Series.

How many races did Casey Mears run in the CART series?

Casey Mears ran 5 races in the CART series over 2 years.

What was Casey Mears' best championship finish in the CART series?

Casey Mears' best championship finish in the CART series was 23rd in 2000.

How many wins and podiums did Casey Mears achieve in the CART series?

Casey Mears had 0 wins and 0 podiums in the CART series.

Casey Mears Wiki: Casey Mears: A Racer's Chronicle of Speed and Versatility

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Biographical Overview

Racing Pedigree

Casey James Mears, born March 12, 1978, in Bakersfield, California, is a distinguished American professional racing driver. His career spans multiple disciplines, including off-road racing and stock car racing. He is recognized for his participation in NASCAR's premier series and has also competed in IndyCar, Grand-Am, SCORE International, and Stadium Super Trucks.

Legacy

Mears hails from a prominent racing family. He is the nephew of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears and the son of veteran IndyCar and off-road competitor Roger Mears. This deep-rooted connection to motorsports significantly shaped his early career and aspirations.

Key Achievements

Mears is celebrated for winning the prestigious 2007 Coca-Cola 600, a major NASCAR Cup Series event. Additionally, he co-won the 2006 24 Hours of Daytona, showcasing his versatility and endurance racing prowess. His career includes numerous top-ten finishes and poles across various series.

Early Career & Open-Wheel Pursuits

Foundations in Racing

Mears began his racing journey in go-karts in 1991. He transitioned to off-road racing in the SuperLites Off-Road Series in 1992, achieving several top-three finishes. By 1994, he moved into sprint cars, securing a third-place finish in the USAC Triple Crown Championship and winning the USAC championship the following year.

Indy Lights & CART

His open-wheel career saw him debut in Dayton Indy Lights in 1996, eventually finishing second in the championship in 1999. He secured his first Indy Lights victory in 2000 at the Grand Prix of Houston. Mears made his CART Series debut with Team Rahal, achieving a career-best fourth-place finish at California Speedway. He also competed in three IRL events in 2001.

Open-Wheel Statistics

Mears participated in five CART series races, achieving one top-five finish. In the IRL, he competed in three events, with no top-five finishes recorded. His early career demonstrated a strong aptitude for various forms of motorsport.

NASCAR Career Highlights

Cup Series Debut & Early Years

Mears entered NASCAR in the Busch Series (now Xfinity Series) in 2001. His significant move came in 2003 when he joined Chip Ganassi Racing's Cup Series team. Despite a challenging rookie season, he showed promise, later moving to Hendrick Motorsports in 2007, replacing Brian Vickers.

Landmark Victory

The pinnacle of his NASCAR Cup Series career was the 2007 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mears secured this significant victory through a strategic fuel gamble, holding on to win his sole Cup Series race. This achievement marked a career highlight in top-tier stock car racing.

Team Transitions

Mears' NASCAR career involved several team changes, including stints with Richard Childress Racing and Germain Racing. He consistently competed, demonstrating resilience and adaptability, though often facing challenges in securing consistent top-tier results or wins after his 2007 victory.

Recent Appearances

After a period away from full-time competition, Mears returned to the Cup Series for select races in recent years, including appearances with MBM Motorsports in 2023, aiming to reach milestones like 500 career starts.

IndyCar Series Participation

IRL and CART Efforts

Mears competed in the Indy Racing League (IRL) and CART series during the early 2000s. His participation included attempts at the Indianapolis 500 and races across various iconic circuits.

Performance Summary

His IndyCar Series career consisted of 3 races in 2001, achieving a best finish of 20th. In CART, he participated in 5 races over two years, with a best finish of 4th in his debut. These experiences provided valuable exposure to different racing dynamics.

Grand-Am Endurance Success

24 Hours of Daytona Victory

A significant achievement outside of NASCAR was Mears' victory in the 2006 24 Hours of Daytona. Teaming with Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon, he was part of the winning Daytona Prototype team that set a race record, demonstrating his capability in demanding endurance events.

Multi-Discipline Competitor

His participation in Grand-Am events, including sharing a car with Danica Patrick in 2009, highlights his willingness to compete across different racing formats and showcase his driving talent beyond stock cars.

Off-Road Racing Ventures

Baja 1000 Participation

Honoring his family's off-road legacy, Mears entered the SCORE International Baja 1000 in 2019. Co-driving a trophy truck, he navigated the challenging desert terrain, finishing 28th overall and 12th in class. He returned for the 2021 Baja 1000, co-driving with Robby Gordon.

Stadium Super Trucks

Series Debut and Runs

Mears tested and debuted in Robby Gordon's Stadium Super Trucks (SST) series in 2017. He competed in several events, including races at Road America and the Race of Champions, achieving a best finish of second place in one round.

Career Performance Summary

NASCAR Cup Series

Races: 491
Wins: 1
Top Tens: 51
Poles: 3
Best Finish: 14th (2006)

Mears competed in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2003 to 2019, with part-time entries in later years. Key seasons include his 2007 win at Charlotte and a 14th-place championship finish in 2006. His career spanned multiple teams including Chip Ganassi Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, and Germain Racing.

Year	Team	No.	Manufacturer	Best Finish	Championship Rank
2003	Chip Ganassi Racing	41	Dodge	15th	35th
2004	Chip Ganassi Racing	41	Dodge	4th	22nd
2005	Chip Ganassi Racing	42	Dodge	2nd	22nd
2006	Chip Ganassi Racing	42	Dodge	2nd	14th
2007	Hendrick Motorsports	25	Chevy	1st	15th
2008	Hendrick Motorsports	5	Chevy	6th	20th
2009	Richard Childress Racing	07	Chevy	6th	21st
2010	Key Motorsports / Tommy Baldwin Racing / Team Red Bull / Germain Racing	90 / 36 / 83 / 13	Chevy / Toyota	18th	36th
2011	Germain Racing	13	Toyota	12th	31st
2012	Germain Racing	13	Ford	11th	30th
2013	Germain Racing	13	Ford	9th	24th
2014	Germain Racing	13	Chevy	4th	26th
2015	Germain Racing	13	Chevy	6th	23rd
2016	Germain Racing	13	Chevy	12th	28th
2019	Germain Racing	27	Chevy	40th	40th
2023	MBM Motorsports	66	Ford	29th	-

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Races: 107
Wins: 1
Top Tens: 34
Poles: 4
Best Finish: 20th (2007)

Mears competed in the Xfinity Series across multiple seasons, achieving one win at Chicagoland Speedway in 2006. His best championship standing was 20th in 2007.

Year	Team	No.	Manufacturer	Wins	Top Tens	Best Finish	Championship Rank
2001	Cicci-Welliver Racing	66	Chevy	0	0	28th	116th
2002	Team Jesel	66	Dodge	0	1	5th	21st
2003	Braun Racing	19	Dodge	0	2	4th	34th
2004	Phoenix Racing	1	Dodge	0	2	4th	34th
2005	Akins Motorsports	38	Dodge	0	0	26th	116th
2006	Chip Ganassi Racing	42	Dodge	1	3	1st	38th
2007	Hendrick Motorsports	24	Chevy	0	0	10th	-
2017	Biagi-DenBeste Racing	98	Ford	0	0	9th	28th

ARCA Menards Series

Races: 6
Wins: 3
Top Tens: 5
Poles: 2
Best Finish: 26th (2003)

Mears achieved considerable success in a limited ARCA series participation, winning three races in 2003, including a sweep of both Pocono events.

Indy Lights & CART

Indy Lights: 45 races, 1 win, 14 podiums, 3rd (1999)
CART: 5 races, 1 top-five, 23rd (2000)
IRL: 3 races, 31st (2001)

His open-wheel career included strong performances in Indy Lights and a notable debut in CART.

Grand-Am & Off-Road

Grand-Am: 2006 24 Hours of Daytona Winner
SCORE International (Baja 1000): Multiple participations

Mears' versatility is underscored by his victory in the 2006 24 Hours of Daytona and his participation in challenging off-road events like the Baja 1000.

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References

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This page was generated by an AI and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not be exhaustive or entirely up-to-date. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy based on the provided source, users should consult official sources for the most current information.

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Casey Mears

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Biographical Overview 👤

🏎️ Racing Pedigree

👨‍Family Legacy

🏆 Key Achievements

Early Career & Open-Wheel Pursuits 🚀

🏁 Foundations in Racing

🏎️ Indy Lights & CART

📊 Open-Wheel Statistics

NASCAR Career Highlights 🚗

🌟 Cup Series Debut & Early Years

🏆 Landmark Victory

🔄 Team Transitions

📈 Recent Appearances

IndyCar Series Participation 🚦

🏁 IRL and CART Efforts

📊 Performance Summary

Grand-Am Endurance Success endurance

🏆 24 Hours of Daytona Victory

🚗 Multi-Discipline Competitor

Off-Road Racing Ventures 🏜️

💪 Baja 1000 Participation

Stadium Super Trucks ⚡

💨 Series Debut and Runs

Career Performance Summary 📊

🏆 NASCAR Cup Series

🏆 NASCAR Xfinity Series

🏆 ARCA Menards Series

🏆 Indy Lights & CART

🏆 Grand-Am & Off-Road

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Biographical Overview

Racing Pedigree

Legacy

Key Achievements

Early Career & Open-Wheel Pursuits

Foundations in Racing

Indy Lights & CART

Open-Wheel Statistics

NASCAR Career Highlights

Cup Series Debut & Early Years

Landmark Victory

Team Transitions

Recent Appearances

IndyCar Series Participation

IRL and CART Efforts

Performance Summary

Grand-Am Endurance Success

24 Hours of Daytona Victory

Multi-Discipline Competitor

Off-Road Racing Ventures

Baja 1000 Participation

Stadium Super Trucks

Series Debut and Runs

Career Performance Summary

NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR Xfinity Series

ARCA Menards Series

Indy Lights & CART

Grand-Am & Off-Road

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Important Disclaimer

Information Accuracy