Casey Mears reacts to NASCAR Cup Series return at Martinsville with Garage 66

While Casey Mears finished P36, he didn’t care. He was back in a NASCAR Cup Series race for the first time in years. After all, he managed to beat Burt Myers and Austin Cindric.

Casey Mears is back in NASCAR. He is on his quest to make 500 Cup Series starts. Today marked his 490th start in the series. Garage 66 is hoping to put together a program to allow him to make 10 more starts before the end of the season.

A long day at Martinsville, but a productive one. Mears talked to the media after the race.

“I’m happy. I appreciate the opportunity to get to 490, 490 starts, and you know, just happy that I was able to come back and do this and my kids seen me race,” Mears said, via Toby Christie of Racing America. “Wish we had better performance but now we have a little more warning. probably for the next one, we’ll hopefully be more prepared and do it right.”

Mears continued, talking about future races. He isn’t sure where he’ll go next, but there are certain tracks that work to his advantage more than others.

“Just depends on the program. You know, obviously right now where I’m at, superspeedways and road courses, things like that is probably where we can get the most out of it,” Mears continued. “Anywhere you need all the platform all the downforce, everything right, you know, it might have to be something different, but you know, I just really appreciate getting the opportunity here, and getting in front of everybody and tell everybody my story, tell them what I want to do. Hopefully, I can get 10 more and get to 500 [starts].”

This was not an easy race for Casey Mears. Not just on the track but off the track as well. Days before the race, Mears and Garage 66 had to make a sponsorship change on this car. It all worked out in the end, but that is not something you want happening the week of a race.

Today was a success, really. Mears didn’t get caught up in the leaders. He raced respectfully. The fact there was no news is good news. It will be great to see him make more starts. Maybe Talladega will be on the schedule coming up next month?

Casey Mears back in the Cup Series. At least part-time. How do you think he did in his first start back in NASCAR?