Casey Mears is set to add three more NASCAR Cup Series starts as the season closes, bringing his career total near 500. The 47-year-old driver will race the MBM Motorsports Garage 66 Ford Mustang at Talladega Superspeedway, Martinsville Speedway, and Phoenix Raceway. His lone Cup victory came in the 2007 Coca-Cola 600, but this return carries new tension. With playoff battles reaching their peak, his part-time entry raises quiet questions about what might unfold when the stakes are highest.
Key Highlights
- Casey Mears will run the final three NASCAR Cup Series races for MBM Motorsports’ Garage 66 Ford Mustang.
- The 47-year-old veteran already has 491 Cup starts and will reach 494 by the end of the season.
- Fans voiced concern about the No. 66 car affecting the championship outcome, especially at Phoenix.
- Mears is backed by longtime supporters Bob Germain, S.I. Yachts, and associate sponsor Acrisure.
- His lone Cup victory came in the 2007 Coca-Cola 600 with Hendrick Motorsports.
Mears Extends Storied Career
Casey Mears, a familiar name from NASCAR’s mid-2000s scene, is adding three more starts to his lengthy résumé. The nephew of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears will pilot the No. 66 Ford Mustang for MBM Motorsports’ Garage 66 at Talladega
Superspeedway, Martinsville Speedway, and the season finale at Phoenix Raceway. Mears already competed twice this year, finishing 35th at Martinsville and 29th at Daytona, marking a surprising part-time return after his primary Cup run ended in 2016. With these upcoming races, his total Cup starts will climb to 494.
The California native’s career highlight remains his 2007 Coca-Cola 600 win with Hendrick Motorsports. He later spent significant seasons driving for the Germain family team from 2010 through 2016. His comeback this year features familiar backing: S.I. Yachts and the Germain family continue to support him financially, while Acrisure serves as an associate sponsor.
“I’m excited we were able to put these three races together, and I appreciate the ongoing support from Bob Germain, S.I. Yachts, and Acrisure. Given our close friendship, it’s touching that Bob is willing to invest in me after all these years.”
“it shows his character and who he is as a person. It also means a lot that Acrisure continues to support us; they stepped up first this year at Martinsville and helped get this program started. Thanks to Carl Long and Garage 66 for all of their hard work because they’ve worked hard to ramp up and make it happen.” – Casey Mears
Fans Voice Concerns Over Playoff Impact
Mears’ return will coincide with pivotal playoff races, sparking unease among fans worried about how an underfunded part-time entry might influence the championship. The potential for mechanical issues or accidents involving the No. 66 car during critical green-flag runs has been a repeated theme in fan discussions. Some see the late-season addition as a wild card that could disrupt the title battle.
“Yeah this thing is deciding the championship when it blows up in Phoenix lol.” – Fan reaction
“It’ll be during a green flag pit cycle for sure.” – Fan reaction
“That would just add layers and layers of legitimacy to the format. lol.” – Fan reaction
Others questioned the legitimacy of the playoff format itself, using the Garage 66 entry as a talking point.
“It couldn’t get more illegitimate if it laid with Harwin Strong.” – Fan reaction
Worries About Equipment and Safety
Several fans highlighted not just the possibility of race-altering cautions but also the competitive pace of the No. 66. With each position critical during the playoffs, some believe a car several laps down poses an unnecessary risk.
“The 66 is a fun flag at Phoenix. Will just help line everyone back up for a yellow only for all 4 playoff cars to wreck each other.” – Fan reaction
“mmw, they’re gonna wreck at Talladega and not show up the following weeks due to lack of funds.” – Fan reaction
A few even appealed directly to team owner Carl Long, urging him to reconsider or to ensure the car meets performance standards to avoid becoming a moving obstacle late in championship-deciding races.
“A plea to Carl Long: … each position matters and a car seconds off the pace, multiple laps down, in the way, and blowing up causing a caution is not something fans, teams, drivers, etc. want to see decide a championship. Please reconsider your plans with Casey Mears, or invest in equipment that will be on pace and not grenade before the race conclusion.” – Fan reaction
Veteran Presence Amid Uncertainty
Despite the concerns, Mears’ participation adds a veteran presence to the field. His history and experience, combined with loyal sponsorship, underline his enduring connection to the sport. Whether he can keep the No. 66 clear of controversy will remain a storyline as the season reaches its climax. Mears’ return reminds fans of his long-standing ties to NASCAR while fueling debate about the balance between open entries and playoff integrity.
News in Brief: Fans React to Casey Mears Nearing 500 NASCAR Cup Starts
Casey Mears will close the 2025 NASCAR Cup season with three starts for MBM Motorsports’ Garage 66 at Talladega, Martinsville, and Phoenix, bringing his career total to 494 races. Backed by S.I. Yachts, the Germain family, and Acrisure, Mears faces scrutiny from fans worried the part-time car could impact the playoffs. Social media reactions range from humor to pleas for competitive equipment. His lone Cup win came in the 2007 Coca-Cola 600.
ALSO READ: Casey Mears Nears 500 NASCAR Cup Starts, Eyes Daytona Milestone
