History of Casey Mears in Timeline

Casey Mears is an American professional off-road and stock car racing driver, part-time competitor in the NASCAR Cup Series, and NASCAR analyst for Fox Sports 1. He has competed in IndyCar, NASCAR's national series, SCORE International, and Stadium Super Trucks. Notably, he is a former Coca-Cola 600 winner. Mears comes from a racing family; he is the nephew of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears and the son of IndyCar and off-road veteran Roger Mears.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

March 12, 1978: Casey Mears Born

On March 12, 1978, Casey James Mears was born. He is an American professional off-road and stock car racing driver.

Others born on this day/year

1991: Started racing in go-karts

In 1991, Casey Mears started racing in go-karts for a season.

1992: Competed in SuperLites Off-Road Series

In 1992, Casey Mears began competing in the SuperLites Off-Road Series, posting several top-three finishes.

1994: Finished third in Jim Russell USAC Triple Crown Championship

In 1994, Casey Mears moved to sprint cars and finished third in the Jim Russell USAC Triple Crown Championship, with a win at Mesa Marin Raceway.

1996: Dayton Indy Lights debut

In 1996, Mears made his Dayton Indy Lights debut at the Cleveland Grand Prix and finished eighth.

1999: Finished Second in Indy Lights championship

In 1999, Casey Mears finished second in the Indy Lights championship, losing by 14 points. He became just the fourth driver in Indy Lights series history to complete every lap in a single season.

2000: Won first Indy Lights race

In 2000, Casey Mears won his first Indy Lights race at the Grand Prix of Houston meeting in October.

2000: CART Series debut

In October 2000, Casey Mears made his CART Series debut for Team Rahal at California Speedway, qualifying 15th and finishing fourth.

2001: NASCAR debut in Busch Series

In 2001, Casey Mears made his NASCAR debut in the Busch Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway, driving the No. 66 car for Cicci-Welliver Racing. He started 21st and finished 28th.

2001: Attempted to qualify for Indianapolis 500

In 2001, Casey Mears ran three IRL events and attempted to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, but did not make it. He ended the season filling in for Alex Zanardi in Champ Car, posting one top-10 finish.

2003: Selected to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing

In 2003, Mears was selected by Chip Ganassi Racing to drive the No. 41 Target Dodge. He also drove a number of ARCA races for Ganassi, winning three times.

2004: Won two poles

In 2004, Casey Mears drove the No. 41 Cup car for Ganassi and won two poles.

2004: Finished fourth at Watkins Glen

In 2004, Casey Mears led late in the Sirius at the Glen but was passed with 12 laps to go and finished fourth.

2005: Forfeited the win at Homestead

At Homestead in 2005, Casey Mears controlled the final 100 laps of the Ford 400, but a late yellow flag erased his lead, forcing a pit stop and costing him the win.

2005: Moved to No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge

During the 2005 season, Casey Mears moved to the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge for Ganassi, replacing Jamie McMurray, after the Home123 sponsorship fell through.

2005: Teamed with Scott Dixon and Darren Manning

In 2005, Casey Mears teamed with Scott Dixon and Darren Manning in the Chip Ganassi Lexus Riley, finishing in 6th place.

June 6, 2006: Announced departure from Chip Ganassi Racing

On June 6, 2006, Casey Mears announced that he was leaving Chip Ganassi Racing at the end of the season to join Hendrick Motorsports for the 2007 season.

July 8, 2006: Won first NASCAR race

On July 8, 2006, Casey Mears won his first NASCAR race, a Busch Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.

2006: Finished 2nd at Daytona 500

Casey Mears started off 2006 with a then-best career finish of 2nd, passing Ryan Newman at the line as Jimmie Johnson won the 2006 Daytona 500.

May 27, 2007: Won the Coca-Cola 600

On May 27, 2007, Casey Mears won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, his first career Nextel Cup victory.

2007: Joined Hendrick Motorsports

Casey Mears joined Hendrick Motorsports for the 2007 season.

August 23, 2008: Announced as driver for Richard Childress Racing

On August 23, 2008, Casey Mears was announced as the driver of Richard Childress Racing's No. 07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet Impala SS.

2008: Moved to No. 5 Kellogg's/Carquest Chevrolet Impala

In 2008, Casey Mears moved to the No. 5 Kellogg's/Carquest Chevrolet Impala previously driven by Kyle Busch. After going winless, Mears was released by Hendrick and replaced by Mark Martin.

October 21, 2009: Crew chief change

On October 21, 2009, it was announced that Casey Mears would be getting his third crew chief of the season starting at Talladega, with Doug Randolph taking over as the crew chief on the No. 07.

2009: Finished 24th in points

In 2009, Casey Mears finished 24th in points, his best since driving for RCR.

2009: Sharing the No. 2 Gentleman Jack Pontiac-Crawford

In 2009, Mears shared the No. 2 Gentleman Jack Pontiac-Crawford with Andy Wallace, Rob Finley, and Danica Patrick. They experienced electrical and handling problems during the race, ultimately finishing eighth.

January 20, 2010: Joined Key Motorsports

On January 20, 2010, it was announced that Casey Mears would drive the No. 90 Key Motorsports Chevrolet.

April 27, 2010: Drove for Tommy Baldwin Racing

Beginning on April 27, 2010, Casey Mears briefly became the driver for Tommy Baldwin's No. 36 team.

May 13, 2010: Temporary replacement driver for Team Red Bull

On May 13, 2010, Casey Mears was announced as the temporary replacement driver for the No. 83 Team Red Bull at Dover, replacing a sick Brian Vickers.

June 27, 2010: Returned to TBR

Casey Mears returned to TBR beginning with the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 27, 2010, where he finished 29th.

August 2010: Driving for Germain Racing

In August 2010, it was announced that Casey Mears would continue to drive the No. 13 GEICO Toyota for Germain Racing for the remainder of the 2010 season and all of the 2011 season.

2011: Continued to drive for Germain Racing

Casey Mears continued to drive the No. 13 GEICO Toyota for Germain Racing in the 2011 season.

2011: DNQ at Daytona 500, Finished 31st in driver points

In 2011, Casey Mears had a DNQ at the Daytona 500. He finished 31st in driver points. Germain Racing secured sponsorship from GEICO and Hard Rock Vodka for a combined 29 races.

January 6, 2012: GEICO signed a two-year deal

On January 6, 2012, GEICO signed a two-year deal with Casey Mears and Germain. Germain also announced that the team was switching to Ford from Toyota for the 2012 season.

August 24, 2012: Won pole for Irwin Tools Night Race

On August 24, 2012, Casey Mears won the pole for the Irwin Tools Night Race due to the Friday qualifying session being rained out.

February 21, 2013: GEICO announced full-time sponsorship

On February 21, 2013, GEICO announced that they were sponsoring Mears and Germain full-time for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Mears also recorded the team's best finish at an oval track, ninth, in the 2013 Coke Zero 400.

2014: Partnered with Richard Childress Racing, Fined for Fight

In 2014, Germain Racing partnered with Richard Childress Racing to field Chevrolets. Mears also got into a fist-fight with Marcos Ambrose, resulting in a $15,000 fine and probation. He finished 26th in points with 14 Top 20 finishes.

2014: Continued sponsoring by GEICO

In the 2014 season, GEICO continued sponsoring Mears full-time for the season.

July 14, 2015: Signed contract extension with Germain and GEICO

On July 14, 2015, it was announced that Casey Mears had signed a contract extension with Germain and GEICO for 2016.

November 12, 2015: GEICO extended partnership

On November 12, 2015, GEICO announced that it had extended its partnership with Mears and Germain Racing through the 2018 season. Mears also extended his contract with the team through 2018 as well.

2015: Returns to Germain Racing

In 2015, Casey Mears returned to Germain for what was to be the final year of both his and GEICO's contracts with the team. Mears finished 6th at Daytona and 15th at Atlanta to open the season.

November 28, 2016: Germain announced Ty Dillon would replace Mears

On November 28, 2016, Germain announced that Ty Dillon would replace Casey Mears in the No. 13 starting in 2017.

2016: Contract extension with Germain and GEICO

In 2016, Casey Mears had a contract extension with Germain and GEICO.

January 2017: Testing and Debut in Stadium Super Trucks

In January 2017, Mears tested a Stadium Super Truck. In December, he debuted at the Lake Elsinore Diamond rounds, finishing fifth in the feature race after qualifying through the heat races.

February 20, 2017: Drove for Biagi-DenBeste Racing in Xfinity Series

On February 20, 2017, Casey Mears announced he would drive the No. 98 Ford Mustang for Biagi-DenBeste Racing in the Xfinity Series for 12 races, later increased to 14.

2017: Replaced by Ty Dillon

In 2017, Ty Dillon replaced Casey Mears in the No. 13.

2018: Extended partnership with Germain and GEICO

In 2018, Casey Mears had an extended partnership with Germain and GEICO.

2019: Debut in SCORE International's Baja 1000

In 2019, Casey Mears debuted in SCORE International's Baja 1000, driving the No. 42 Ford Raptor trophy truck with Doug Fortin. Despite engine issues due to a mud puddle, the duo finished 28th overall and 12th in the Trophy Truck class.

2019: Returned to Cup Series with Germain

In 2019, Casey Mears returned to the Cup Series with Germain, driving the No. 27 Chevrolet at the Daytona 500. He finished 40th after an early-race incident.

2019: Participation in SST Race Weekend

In 2019, Mears participated in the SST race weekend at Honda Indy Toronto and later ran at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, finishing second in the Friday round.

2021: Returning to Baja 1000 with Robby Gordon

In 2021, Mears co-drove the No. 77 trophy truck with Robby Gordon in the Baja 1000. They finished 13th overall and seventh in their class.

2023: Expressed desire for 500 Cup Series starts, Returned at Cook Out 400

In 2023, Casey Mears expressed his desire to reach 500 career NASCAR Cup Series starts. He made his return at the Cook Out 400 with MBM Motorsports and their Cup entry "Garage 66".