Casey Mears begins chase to 500 Cup starts with surprise return at Martinsville

BY machotech
March 14, 2025
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Casey Mears, a veteran of 489 NASCAR Cup Series races and winner of the 2007 Coca-Cola 600, is making an unexpected return to the top level of the sport.

Mears, 47, will pilot the Garage 66 entry (formerly MBM Motorsports) at Martinsville Speedway on March 30. The No. 66 Ford Mustang will have HitchGO as the primary sponsor, carrying a black scheme with orange and white lettering.

The nephew of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears, Casey was a mainstay in the Cup Series between 2003 and 2016 as a (mostly) full-time driver. He later made a one-off start in the 2019 Daytona 500, crashing out and finishing last. In his career, Mears’ only earned one victory, but it came at one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events as he won the sport’s longest race on a fuel gamble. His racing career also includes an overall victory at the 2006 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, driving alongside Dan Wheldon and Scott Dixon for Chip Ganassi Racing.

Chasing 500

When he takes the green flag at Martinsville, it will be his 490th NASCAR Cup start, putting him just ten away from a historic milestone. Only a few dozen drivers have ever reached 500 Cup races and only the following active drivers can say they’ve achieved it: Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski and Michael McDowell.

Mears has been doing some racing the last few years, notably competing in the Baja 1000, and returns to NASCAR with his eyes set on reaching 500 career starts, which likely means we will see him some more this year (despite no other races confirmed at this time).

“I’m happy to be back in a race car and look forward to returning to Martinsville, one of my favorite tracks,” said Mears in a release from the team. “I appreciate Carl [Long, owner] working with me to make it happen; he’s a well-respected, great guy who’s worked hard to experience longevity in the sport. I’m excited to have HitchGO, Mosby’s Towing and Transport, and Coble Enterprises on board as we chip away at 500 NASCAR Cup Series starts.”

The team has attempted one race so far this, missing the Daytona 500 after Chandler Smith crashed out of the Duel qualifying races.