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Mears Ends Season with 19th-Place Finish at Homestead

Race/Date: Ford 400 – November 22, 2009- Venue: Homestead-Miami Speedway – Homestead, Fla. -  Starting Position: 15th - Finishing Position: 19th - Owners’ Point Position: 21st (lost one position)

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway also marked the final race of Jack Daniel’s involvement with Richard Childress Racing. Casey Mears was hoping to end the five-year relationship on a high note, but changing track conditions hindered his performance and resulted in a less-than-desired 19th-place finish.

The No. 07 team finished off the 2009 season 21st in the championship point standings with four top-10 and 19 top-20 finishes.

On Friday, the Doug Randolph-led team registered the 19th-fastest time in the opening practice session before qualifying 15th later that afternoon. During Saturday’s dual practice sessions, the team improved to post the eighth-fastest time in the latter session.

Sunny skies and warm temperatures greeted the 70,000 race fans on hand to see 267 laps of racing, but as the sun faded, the track began to change significantly. Mears gained three spots in the opening 15 laps, but faded to 19th by lap 116.

During that time, Mears made four separate visits to pit road, receiving four tires and fuel each time. Additionally, Randolph ordered for a host of chassis and air pressure adjustments on each stop to get the No. 07 Chevrolet handling better.

The Jack Daniel’s team elected to stay out following a lap 117-caution and restarted 11th as other competitors pitted. The adjustments made earlier began to help Mears as he cracked the top 10 at the race’s midway point.

The Bakersfield, Calif., native was a mainstay in the top 10 for the next 20 laps before making a pit stop, while under caution on lap 157. As racing resumed and day turned to night, the 1.5 mile track temperatures began to cool even more.

The 31 year-old driver continued to be affected by the ever-changing track conditions, dropping to 21st before the final yellow flag was displayed on lap 218. Racing resumed on lap 222 and, over the final 45 laps, Mears was able to pick off two spots to take the checkered flag in 19th place.

Denny Hamlin earned the victory, beating Mears’ teammate Jeff Burton to the line by 2.632 seconds. RCR’s Kevin Harvick finished third, Kurt Busch fourth and Jimmie Johnson, who won his fourth-consecutive Cup Series title, rounded out the top-five finishers.

Mears’ fourth RCR teammate, Clint Bowyer, came home 11th.

Casey Mears Quote:

“This was definitely not the way we wanted to close out the season, but I’m proud of all the guys that have been apart of No. 07 program this year. There have been a lot of changes, but these guys never quit. They put a lot of hard work in this season and I have to thank all of them for their efforts. And a big thank you to Jack Daniel’s for all their support, not only this season, but over the last five years.”

CASEY MEARS QUOTES:

• In looking at your stats from the past six races, there’s a top-five and two top-10 finishes for you. This track seems like it’s been pretty good for you?

“Yeah, Homestead has been a pretty good track for me. The year Tony Stewart won the championship (2005), we had a huge lead in that race with about five to go. We were getting ready to lap Tony and the caution came out for debris. So, we’ve had some pretty good races there and it’s been a pretty good track for me. I look forward to going back there because it’s the end of the year and where we’re at in points, I just don’t think we have a whole lot to lose. So, we’re going to go out there and try to win this race. Not that we don’t try to do that every race, but with it being the last one, you just tend to let it all hang out there a little bit more.”

• How has this season gone by for you? For some, it’s been a long drag, but it’s gone by quickly for others.

“I would say the beginning and middle of the year felt like about three years. But, the last six or seven races have gone by like they were all just last weekend. When things are going good, everyone is positive, everything is good and everything just goes by so fast. But, when it’s not going that way, it just seems everything goes in such slow motion making the season drag on-and-on.

“It’s been cool to see RCR turn a corner this year and get back to where we needed to be, and are capable of being every week. Unfortunately, it’s now a season I don’t want to see end.”

• With this being the championship weekend, there are three guys who could leave Homestead with the crown. Do you race those guys any differently, or is it business as usual?

“You know, I can’t say I’ve given one guy any slack this year, to be honest. I’ve never given the Chase guys more room or been more lenient with them. We’re out there to win races, but I do understand what they’re trying to do this weekend. For the last race of the season, I think it might be a little different with so much on the line. A mistake by someone else could really dictate who is going to win the championship. I don’t think you want to go down in history as the guy who screwed it up for someone else and cost them a championship.“

• What are your plans for the off-season? Do you have anything on the calendar, or are you just going to wing it?

“I have a lot of things going on this off-season. First, Jimmie Johnson and his wife are planning a five-year anniversary trip to where they got married. So, Trish (fiancée) and I are going to attend that deal. That’s taking place right after the banquet.

“We’re also going to go out to the sand dunes in California and have a little fun during Thanksgiving. We’re going to have Christmas at home here in Charlotte with my daughter. This will be her second one and I’m sure she’s going to want to rip open some presents.

“Then, Trish and I are getting married in January out of the country. So, that makes for a pretty full plate in the off-season.“