Casey Mears, a veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver, is making an unexpected return to the top level of NASCAR competition this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. This marks a significant moment as Mears steps back into the Cup Series after several years, driving the No. 66 Ford with backing from S.J. Yachts and Germain Motor Company.
Mears has a long history in the Cup Series, having competed full-time for several teams such as Hendrick Motorsports, Chip Ganassi Racing, and Richard Childress Racing. His last full-time run was with Germain Racing, which concluded at the end of the 2016 season, though he did make a brief appearance earlier this season at Martinsville behind the wheel of Garage 66’s No. 66 car.
Mears Expresses Gratitude and Excitement Ahead of Daytona Race
Speaking about his comeback, Mears said,
“I’m excited to have this opportunity to return to one of my favorite tracks, and I’m grateful to S.I. Yachts and Acrisure for their support, and to Carl Long for putting me in his car,”
reflecting the enthusiasm surrounding his return. His bond with the Germain family remains strong, noting,
“My relationship with Bob Germain and the Germain family is special to me, so it’s only appropriate for us to return to Daytona, a track where we’ve had a lot of success together and share many special memories.”
He also expressed appreciation for ongoing sponsorships, adding,
“I’m also appreciative of Acrisure’s continued partnership. I’ve enjoyed the relationship we’ve built, and I look forward to our continued collaboration.”
Garage 66 Team Owner Carl Long Highlights Strong Support for Mears
Garage 66 co-owner and NASCAR veteran Carl Long shared his excitement about the preparations made for Daytona.
“I’m glad we could put this partnership together, and we’re excited to have Casey in our car at Daytona,”
Long said, emphasizing the team’s confidence. He noted that they have procured a Roush Yates engine and assembled a skilled pit crew, aiming to be competitive at the race.
Long further acknowledged the support from sponsors and the Germain family’s involvement, stating,
“We appreciate the support of S.I. Yachts and Acrisure, and it means a lot to have the Germain family’s backing. The Germain family has a storied history in NASCAR, with two NASCAR Truck Series Championships and a Cup Series team that spanned 12 years, so I’m honored to have them on board with us this weekend.”
Complete Entry List for the Daytona Cup Series Finale
The Cup Series regular season will conclude at Daytona with a full field vying for victory. Below is the comprehensive entry list for this weekend’s race:
1. Ross Chastain, No. 1, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
2. Austin Cindric, No. 2, Team Penske Ford
3. Austin Dillon, No. 3, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
4. Noah Gragson, No. 4, Front Row Motorsports Ford
5. Kyle Larson, No. 5, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
6. Brad Keselowski, No. 6, RFK Racing Ford
7. Justin Haley, No. 7, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
8. Kyle Busch, No. 8, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
9. Chase Elliott, No. 9, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
10. Ty Dillon, No. 10, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
11. Denny Hamlin, No. 11, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
12. Ryan Blaney, No. 12, Team Penske Ford
13. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
14. Chris Buescher, No. 17, RFK Racing Ford
15. Chase Briscoe, No. 19, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
16. Christopher Bell, No. 20, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
17. Josh Berry, No. 21, Wood Brothers Racing Ford
18. Joey Logano, No. 22, Team Penske Ford
19. Bubba Wallace, No. 23, 23XI Racing Toyota
20. William Byron, No. 24, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
21. Austin Hill, No. 33, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
22. Todd Gilliland, No. 34, Front Row Motorsports Ford
23. Riley Herbst, No. 35, 23XI Racing Toyota
24. Zane Smith, No. 38, Front Row Motorsports Ford
25. Cole Custer, No. 41, Haas Factory Team Ford
26. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42, Legacy Motor Club Toyota
27. Erik Jones, No. 43, Legacy Motor Club Toyota
28. Joey Gase, No. 44, NY Racing Team Chevrolet
29. Tyler Reddick, No. 45, 23XI Racing Toyota
30. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47, Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet
31. Alex Bowman, No. 48, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
32. Cody Ware, No. 51, Rick Ware Racing Ford
33. Ty Gibbs, No. 54, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
34. Ryan Preece, No. 60, RFK Racing Ford
35. Casey Mears, No. 66, Garage 66 Ford
36. Michael McDowell, No. 71, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
37. Carson Hocevar, No. 77, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
38. BJ McLeod, No. 78, Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
39. Shane Van Gisbergen, No. 88, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
40. Daniel Suárez, No. 99, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Looking Ahead: What Mears’ Return Means for NASCAR
Casey Mears’ NASCAR Cup Return at Daytona represents more than just a single race appearance; it highlights a meaningful reunion with long-time partners and a renewed chance to compete at one of NASCAR’s most prestigious events. With solid technical support and sponsorship, Mears and Garage 66 aim to make a notable impact in a competitive field that includes some of the sport’s biggest names like Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Austin Dillon.
This opportunity also underscores the enduring legacy of the Germain family within NASCAR, continuing their involvement after many years of successful participation, including championships in the Truck Series and sustained efforts in Cup competition. Fans and commentators will be watching closely to see how Mears performs at Daytona, given the high stakes and excitement surrounding the season finale.
