THE IRISH HILLS PROVE LUCKY FOR MEARS AND NO. 13 GEICO TEAM

 

Player Management International Media Release

Brooklyn, MI (June 16, 2013) – Coming off of good showings in Dover and Pocono, the Germain Racing team focused on continuing their strong run this weekend in the Irish Hills of Michigan.  Casey Mears and team owner Bob Germain kicked off their race weekend by visiting Ford headquarters in Detroit on Thursday, where they participated in activities ranging from test driving cars to chatting with Ford associates.  A day later, Mears turned his attention to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice at the two-mile racetrack just down the road in Brooklyn. 

Consistency marked the team’s Friday when Mears and his #13 GEICO Ford Fusion sat 24th on the practice chart and later qualified the same for the Quicken Loans 400. 

When the green flag got Sunday’s race underway at Michigan International Speedway, Mears quickly jumped to 23rd.  He would not have to wait long for the action to heat up, as lap seven found Bobby Labonte spinning immediately in front of the GEICO Ford, bringing out the event’s first caution flag of the day.  Mears avoided the spinning car by the narrowest of margins and was able to carry on with his afternoon.  Aside from dodging spinning cars, Mears also began battling a loose condition that would plague him for much of the race. 

A focused Germain Racing crew worked feverishly during each pit stop to make necessary adjustments to the GEICO Ford and as the race wore on their hard work became evident.  When the caution flag was displayed on lap 76 for debris in turn one, Mears was able to lead two laps and collect critical bonus points.  As the event began to wind down, he was solidly in the top twenty-five, even running for an extended time in the top 15.  When the checkered flag closed 400-miles of racing, Mears and his GEICO team recorded a 21st place, lead lap finish.  His effort accounts for Germain Racing’s ninth top-25 finish of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. 

“The #13 GEICO Ford Fusion was really loose today, but the guys worked hard to get it better and it helped in the end,” Mears said.  “This is three solid weeks in a row, so we’re beginning to see the consistency we’re looking for.  I enjoy the road courses, so we’re excited to get the GEICO car on-track in Sonoma next week.”

Mears and the Germain team will now head west to the Sonoma Valley for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ first road course race of the 2013 season.                                                      

Casey Mears and the #13 GEICO Ford Fusion will hit the track at Sonoma Raceway for the opening practice session on Friday, June 21st, at 3:00 PM (EDT).  Qualifying will take place on Saturday, June 22nd, at 2:05 PM (EDT).

The Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race is on Sunday, June 23rd, and it will be televised live on TNT beginning at 2:00 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