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Mears to drive No. 07 RCR car in '09; Bowyer moves to No. 33 team car

By Jared Turner - SceneDaily Staff Writer

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Article Rating: 2.0
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Todd Warshaw / Getty Images for NASCAR

Casey Mears

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BRISTOL, Tenn. – Richard Childress Racing made it official on Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway, naming Casey Mears driver of the team’s No. 07 Chevrolet with sponsorship from Jack Daniel's next season as Clint Bowyer will move to the organization's No. 33 car sponsored by General Mills.

Mears, who has spent the last two years in the No. 5 Chevrolet at Hendrick Motorsports, learned in June that he would be replaced by Mark Martin in that ride at the end of 2008.

Bowyer might have to qualify for the first five races next year on speed as his No. 33 team currently does not have owners points. Team owner Richard Childress said the team is confident Bowyer will not miss a race.

Mears said he has agreed to a three-year contract with RCR.

“I just can’t wait to get started,” Mears said. “I’m just ready to get going.”

Mears and Childress said there are still discussions ongoing on who will be his crew chief. RCR Vice President of Competition Mike Dillon said he expects that Bowyer's crew chief, Gil Martin, and crew members will remain with the No. 07 team with Mears while Bowyer will be with the new team.

As for the impetus behind putting Mears in the No. 07 and moving Bowyer to the No. 33, Childress offered little.

"It’s all about our competition and getting four teams ready for the Chase for 2009, then having championship-caliber race teams," he said. " ... You’ll see later on why we’re doing what we’re doing."

Mears, who spent his first four Cup seasons at Chip Ganassi Racing, has one career victory which came in the 2007 spring race at Lowe's Motor Speedway. He is the nephew of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears and the son of Indy and off-road veteran Roger Mears.

“I’ve watched Casey’s career from the first time he came in,” Childress said. “He’s always impressed me.”

Mears is currently 24th in the Sprint Cup standings with four top-10 finishes and one top-five in the season’s first 23 races. Bowyer is 13th in the standings, win two wins for RCR, including one earlier this year at Richmond International Raceway.

“I’ve been a big fan of the Mears gang for a long time,” Bowyer said. “He’s a family guy like all of us and I think he’ll fit into our family really well.”

Average Rating: 2.0

Comments

12 responses to "Mears to drive No. 07 RCR car in '09; Bowyer moves to No. 33 team car"
  1. 1
    VICKI DECKER said:
    Aug 23, 2008 at 1:48 PM

    No offense to Casey Mears but to say that I'm disappointed that Clint will be loosing his #07, sponsor, crew, crew chief and owners points to guarantee the Daytona 500 would be an understatement!

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  2. 2
    4da88 said:
    Aug 23, 2008 at 2:14 PM

    No kidding Vicki. Wonder how Clint is feeling about this move? Sure seems unfair to me.

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  3. 3
    Adam Argabright said:
    Aug 23, 2008 at 2:23 PM

    Dumb. Not only is this unfair and crappy to Bowyer, but hiring Mears out of all of the available drivers that could have been the fourth RCR driver... What a waste.

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  4. 4
    Dave Thomas said:
    Aug 23, 2008 at 2:32 PM

    Casey Mears stinks. Nuff said.

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  5. 5
    Bruce Knoll said:
    Aug 23, 2008 at 2:55 PM

    The likely reason for Mears to be going into the 07 rather than the 33 would be that with General Mills being the sponsor of the 33, they didn't want Mears due to his close assoication with Kellogg's at Hendrick. But Bowyer is definately getting the short end of the stick.

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  6. 6
    Betty Gilmartin said:
    Aug 23, 2008 at 3:35 PM

    In the other articles, I've read RC has said he's working on something for the points for next year. Rumor has it he'll buy the #01 from DEI since they have 4 cars and only 2 with sponsorship for next year. Also Crew Chiefs have not been determined yet. I agree it stinks for Clint BUT Jack Daniels DID NOT precipitate his changing cars and they've paid for those points, so why they agree to transer them to a new sponsor?

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  7. 7
    LaDonna Balzer said:
    Aug 23, 2008 at 3:42 PM

    Gil Martin and Clint were very close and practically unstoppable last season and the first 1/3 of this year. Something between those two doesn't seem to be clicking like it has in the past, or maybe it's the whole package including the crew as well. Maybe a fresh start is what Clint needs to light that fire again, who knows? But I do concurr that it appears---at this point---that he is getting the short end of the stick.

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  8. 8
    chris ragan said:
    Aug 23, 2008 at 3:52 PM

    It has been proven to be the best in nascar you have to have as many teams as possible to get information from. That is what this is all about and i think Boyer realises that and will do what he has to for himself and RCR. and for the points not being granted a place in daytona he has not needed that this year anyway hes fast. I would like to see them do away with the top 35 getting in anyway. it should be the fastest 43 cars on a given friday.

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  9. 9
    Scott Simmons said:
    Aug 24, 2008 at 8:44 AM

    Jack Daniels and Clint Bowyer should stay together. Moving Clint you had better Put Gil Martin with him when they move.

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  10. 10
    Carroll Falterman said:
    Aug 25, 2008 at 6:45 PM

    I have had huge respect for Richard Childress. That however has been shaken to the core now. I am a huge Clint fan and Richard has slapped him in the face. With a second straight year making the chase looming, how does Richard show his appreciation??? By hiring one of the worst drivers in Racing to take over the team that Clint and Gil Martin built and giving that team to an extremely untalented driver

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  11. 11
    Carroll Falterman said:
    Aug 25, 2008 at 6:50 PM

    If the rumors are true, Gil and the entire team are forced to become Mears' crew. I hope the entire team walks if not allowed to join Clint. Tony Stewart is hiring Gil, stay by the phone. Why should the team be punished for the owner's mistake in hiring? Tsk, Tsk Mr Childress...what are you (not) thinking? How is Jack Daniels sitting by and allowing this to happen. No Chase for JD next year!!!

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  12. 12
    Lisa Shaver-Steingart said:
    Aug 27, 2008 at 6:59 AM

    . . . talk about who did it and ran?!?!? What a shame. In this day and age when the economy is bad I truly DO NOT believe conglomerate team owners have the interest of fans at heart. They should really re-examine their strategies to maintain a loyal fan base because we contribute our hard earned dollars to support our drivers. This is the kind of nonsense which makes people disenchanted with NASCAR.

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