Casey Mears is approaching a major landmark in his racing journey, with the veteran driver closing in on the elite club of 500 NASCAR Cup Series starts, as he heads to Martinsville Speedway this weekend. Marking another chapter in NASCAR Cup Series milestones, Mears continues his intense pursuit, further solidifying his reputation among the sport’s most enduring and skilled drivers.
Mears Continues Ascent Toward Racing History
Last week at Talladega Superspeedway, Casey Mears steered the No. 66 S.I. Yachts Ford Mustang to an 18th place finish at the YellaWood 500. Demonstrating resilience and competitive drive, Mears advanced through the field in the final laps. As the Bakersfield, California native now heads to Martinsville, his momentum is undiminished.
Just days before, Mears reached a milestone few in motorsports achieve: he registered his 600th NASCAR national series start during his first-ever appearance in the NASCAR Truck Series at Martinsville. The achievement speaks volumes about his character, adaptability, and long-standing presence in professional racing. Among the enormous pool of NASCAR drivers, only a select group can claim this many starts.
Elite Company: Chasing the 500 Cup Starts Mark
Mears is now just eight races shy of his 500th career NASCAR Cup Series appearance, a feat that only 47 drivers in the sport’s history have achieved. Currently, the only active drivers within this exclusive club are Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Michael McDowell. For Mears, each race adds to his legacy and brings him closer to joining this distinguished group, underlining the significance of experience and perseverance at NASCAR’s highest level.
This weekend’s race at Martinsville is the 35th of the 36-race NASCAR Cup Series season. Mears’ campaign continues with strong support from sponsors such as S.I. Yachts, one of the world’s top dealers of Viking Yachts and Valhalla Boatworks, managed by the Germain Motor Company. Acrisure remains an essential associate sponsor, reflecting deep industry partnerships built over years of mutual respect and collaboration.
Martinsville and the Path to Success
Mears has a notable history at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he captured victory in the illustrious Coca-Cola 600 Memorial Day classic in 2007. Among the nearly 3,000 drivers to have started in NASCAR Cup Series competition since the sport’s inception 77 years ago, only 206 have won a single race, putting Mears in a select group of champions.
Strong ties to the Germain family have marked his career. From 2010 to 2016, he drove the No. 13 Cup Series car for Germain Racing, forging both competitive and personal bonds with former boss Bob Germain. As the competitive action returns to Martinsville, these relationships remain central to Mears’ continuing journey, blending nostalgia with ambition as he and the Germain Motor Company uphold their shared racing heritage.
Statistical Achievements at Martinsville Speedway
Mears’ record at the iconic .526-mile, paperclip-shaped Martinsville track stands as a testament to consistency and endurance. Over 28 appearances at this Virginia short track, Mears has finished 95 percent of his laps—13,246 out of a possible 13,926—despite Martinsville’s reputation for rough driving and physical racing. Remarkably, he has only recorded two DNFs (Did Not Finish) at a venue where many drivers struggle to make it to the checkered flag.
Throughout his 16-year Cup Series odyssey at Martinsville Speedway, Mears has notched three top-10 finishes, five in the top 15, and eleven in the top 20. With career winnings at the venue totaling more than $2.2 million, his consistent performances demonstrate why he remains a respected competitor after so many seasons.
The No. 66 S.I. Yachts Ford Mustang isn’t the first “66” car Mears has driven in his career. His past includes piloting the No. 66 Pioneer-WorldCom Honda-Reynard in the CART FedEx Championship (today known as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES) and driving the No. 66 Phillips 66/Injex Chevrolet for Cicci-Welliver Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. This continuity in car numbers and team associations reflects Mears’ breadth of experience and adaptability across different racing environments.
Reflections and Momentum Heading into Race Weekend
As Mears embarks on another Martinsville start, he reflected on the progress and challenges of his ongoing campaign.
“When we came here in March, I didn’t really know what to expect or how things would play out. It’s been great to see things unfold and to have Bob Germain and Acrisure step up to help secure the additional races. I appreciate their collective support; it means a lot. We went from struggling through the race here in March to helping Carl Long (team owner) build the team and improve at every race. At Daytona, we were in the top-15 with under 60 to go, and last week at Talladega, we ended up 18th, but really should’ve been in the top-10, if not for a car jumping in front of me on the final lap. I appreciate Carl and all of the people at Garage 66 for the hard work they’ve invested in stepping up the program, both on the track and off.” – Casey Mears, Driver
Mears also spoke about the transition between vastly different track types on the NASCAR circuit, particularly between Talladega’s sweeping 2.66-mile superspeedway and Martinsville’s compact and demanding oval.
“Yes, it’s definitely a big contrast, but it also has some similarities. Plate tracks are unpredictable, as is Martinsville. There’s a lot of beating and banging and if one of these guys gets upset and retaliates, it could tear up a lot of cars. Just like Talladega, patience is key here and the goal is to make it to the end of the race. If you can finish the race, you’ll likely be in a decent position. I take it one turn at a time and monitor the cars ahead of me. Everyone at S.I. Yachts, Acrisure and Garage 66 is excited about last week’s run at Talladega, so we’re carrying a lot of momentum into Martinsville. If we have a decent car, execute on pit road and stay out of trouble, we’ll be in position to have a good day.” – Casey Mears, Driver
The Road Ahead for Casey Mears
With only a handful of races left before reaching 500 NASCAR Cup Series starts, Casey Mears strides toward a milestone that places him among legends like Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Michael McDowell. His journey, marked by loyalty to partners like Bob Germain’s Germain Motor Company and sponsors such as S.I. Yachts and Acrisure, displays the determination needed to compete for decades in an ever-changing sport.
As Mears returns to Martinsville Speedway, fans and competitors alike will be watching closely as he nears one of the most revered NASCAR Cup Series milestones, carrying the support of his team, longtime partners, and a wave of career momentum toward racing immortality.
