General Discussion » Toyota recall includes 3.8 million cars sold in the USA
November 2, 2009 General Motors is recalling all models because of a problem with plastic supply and return ports on the modular reservoir assembly. The ...
Mears looks forward to new opportunities
By Bob Pockrass
Friday, June 09, 2006
DAVID GRIFFIN / NASCAR SCENE
LONG POND, Pa. - Casey Mears delicately balanced praising Chip Ganassi Racing with acknowledging that opportunities might potentially be better elsewhere as he talked Friday about his decision to leave the No. 42 team after the 2006 season.
"I've talked to Chip and let him know I won't be returning next year," Mears said at Pocono Raceway. "My decision has been strictly based on ... where I feel like I can perform better.
"It is not a slap in the face of this race team at all because I think that we're continuing to grow, continuing to get better."
Mears wouldn't rule out any of the open rides. Hendrick Motorsports may have one in its No. 25 Chevrolet with the recent announcement that Brian Vickers has been given permission to seek other rides, Robert Yates Racing has an opening in the No. 88 Ford being vacated by Dale Jarrett and the new Red Bull Racing Toyota team has two.
But Mears admitted there is an allure from the Hendrick stable.
"I don't know exactly what is going to happen there yet," Mears said. "Hopefully it is in an opportunity, but otherwise there is some other stuff out there too that I have been considering as well.
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to find out that has been one of the best teams in NASCAR racing for a lot of years. ... The possibility of going there is very, very appealing."
Mears is good friends with Hendrick drivers Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson as well as team owner Rick Hendrick. But the team's Kyle Busch? Not so much. But, as Johnson said, Hendrick has a way of settling those issues. And, he said, Mears would be worth it.
"He's one of the few guys that doesn't have anything signed up for next year. He's by far the best one out there," Johnson said.
Having spent four years at Ganassi, Mears has driven 121 Cup races with a career best of second at the 2006 Daytona 500. Mears said that he did not expect a drop in performance the rest of the year while running for Ganassi.
"The thing I feel the most bad about really is this team has just been through all of this with Jaimie [McMurray], and I hope that they don't look at it in that same light," Mears said. "I signed a four-year deal with Chip, and I fulfilled my commitment."
Mears said he expects to have a decision in the next few weeks.
"It's not financial,' Mears said. "I'd be stupid to say that I'm not trying to better myself. ... That's not a basis for my decision at all.
"You'll come to find out that there were several opportunities. If I were to strictly base it off financial, I would end up somewhere where you guys would think I was not supposed to end up right now."
Mentioned Drivers: Brian Vickers
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6492 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -108 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -169 |
| 4 | Kurt Busch | -211 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -285 |
| 6 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -289 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -321 |
| 8 | Denny Hamlin | -352 |
| 9 | Ryan Newman | -411 |
| 10 | Kasey Kahne | -476 |
| 11 | Carl Edwards | -520 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -666 |
Popular News
-
Championship battle may not be tight, but Chase still has some intrigue
Comments (79) -
Kyle Busch would consider Nationwide title his biggest achievement in NASCAR
Comments (70) -
Denny Hamlin vows to retaliate against Brad Keselowski
Comments (70) -
Jeff Gluck: Brad Keselowski's aggressive style should be embraced, not criticized
Comments (53) -
Jimmie Johnson's Texas trouble reignites NASCAR Sprint Cup championship battle
Comments (48)
Recent Headlines
-
Kevin Harvick, Ron Hornaday cap off championship year for KHI
Post Comment -
Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards spins, leads final Nationwide practice
Post Comment -
Colin Braun wins Truck pole for season finale
Post Comment -
Denny Hamlin to have minor knee surgery Wednesday
Comments (1) -
Jimmie Johnson snags pole for Ford 400 at Homestead
Comments (9)
Poll PositionView All
Which has been most detrimental to NASCAR television ratings and attendance this season?
Promotions
-
Play "WIX Filters' Pick 3" stock car fantasy and win prizes. Season 2 is now in session!
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.
-
Make weekly pics for the Chase and be entered to win weekly SPEED Merchandise.
