MEARS AND COMPANY MAKE LEMONADE AT LAS VEGAS

Player Management International Media Release

Las Vegas, NV (March 10, 2013) – A week ago, Casey Mears started in the rear of the field after qualifying 43rd and wowed a packed house at Phoenix International Raceway when he hustled all the way to the front and finished 14th.  After practice and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying was rained out in Las Vegas on Friday, he would be afforded a similar opportunity when the field was set according to 2012 owner points.  Mears and his #13 GEICO Ford Fusion would roll off from the 30th position when Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 400 got underway.

Bright sunshine and a cloudless sky were the setting for 267 laps of racing on Sunday afternoon.  Mears and his #13 GEICO Ford Fusion rolled off of the starting grid from the 30th position and hoped to make progress at a track where passing is sometimes a rarity.  He immediately picked up positions and was eyeing the top 25 when he began reporting handling issues, finding himself with no rear or front grip. 

By the time green flag pit stops began on lap 44, Mears and his #13 GEICO Fusion had settled their differences and he was solidly in the top 25.  After visiting pit road for his scheduled green flag stop, he continued his effort to penetrate the front of the field.  Mears strategy was playing out fine until lap 109 betrayed him with a heavy vibration that sent him down pit road under green to receive necessary attention.  Leaving with four fresh tires and two laps down, the balance of the day would be spent trying to recover from the unfortunate setback.  When the checkered flag was displayed, Mears was able to hustle back to a 29th place finish.

“This was a tough day, but the GEICO team worked hard and we were able to salvage an otherwise challenging day,” Mears said.  “We made progress all weekend and were looking forward to a great finish today, but we’ll now look to Bristol.  The guys have worked so hard and we’re elevating our program and we’re definitely knocking at the door.” 
Despite a tough afternoon at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Mears still sits in the top 25 in driver points, just 6 points removed from the top 20. 

Next week finds the GEICO team heading back east for a little short track racing at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile.

Mears and the #13 GEICO Ford Fusion will hit the track at Bristol Motor Speedway for the opening practice session on Friday, March 15th, at 12:00 PM (EDT).  Qualifying will follow at 3:40 PM (EDT).

The Food City 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race is on Sunday, March 17th, and it will be televised live on FOX beginning at 1:00 PM (EDT).  The Performance Racing Network (PRN) will carry the live radio broadcast.

To learn more about the GEICO Racing program, please visit: www.caseymearsracing.com
You can also follow GEICO Racing on Twitter: www.twitter.com/geicoracing
Please visit the Casey Mears Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/caseymearsracing