Veteran NASCAR driver Casey Mears is set to make his highly anticipated return to the NASCAR Cup Series later this month at Martinsville Speedway. Mears will pilot the No. 66 HitchGO Ford Mustang for Garage 66 in the Cook Out 400, marking his first Cup Series start since the 2019 Daytona 500.
A former full-time competitor, Mears last raced full-time in the Cup Series in 2016. His return to the track is part of a broader goal to reach 500 career starts in the series, a milestone he currently sits 11 races away from achieving. Given this objective, fans can expect to see Mears in multiple events this season.
“I’m happy to be back in a race car and look forward to returning to Martinsville, one of my favorite tracks,” Mears said in a press release. “I appreciate Carl [Long] working with me to make it happen; he’s a well-respected, great guy who’s worked hard to experience longevity in the sport. I’m excited to have HitchGO, Mosby’s Towing and Transport, and Coble Enterprises on board as we chip away at 500 NASCAR Cup Series starts.”
Garage 66, formerly known as MBM Motorsports, has faced challenges this season. The team initially attempted to enter Mike Wallace into the Daytona 500, but NASCAR did not approve his participation. Chandler Smith stepped in as a replacement but failed to qualify after a crash in his Duel race. Securing Mears for multiple races represents a significant step forward for the team as it continues to develop its Gen 7 program.
Carl Long, owner of Garage 66, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, recognizing Mears’ extensive experience with some of NASCAR’s premier organizations. “Having Casey Mears drive a Garage 66 car is a proud day for our organization,” Long stated. “He’s driven for NASCAR’s elite, such as Chip Ganassi Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, and Richard Childress Racing. Adding Garage 66 to that list means a lot to me and everyone who’s helped build our team.”
Since stepping away from full-time NASCAR competition, Mears has competed in the Baja 1000 Trophy Truck Class and other off-road racing events. His return to the Cup Series at Martinsville, a short track known for its demanding racing, presents an ideal opportunity to ease back into NASCAR competition.
With a seasoned driver behind the wheel, Garage 66 hopes to gain momentum and establish itself as a more competitive presence in the Cup Series. Mears’ return adds an exciting storyline to the season, and his pursuit of 500 career starts ensures that fans will likely see more of him in the months ahead.
As NASCAR heads to Martinsville, all eyes will be on Casey Mears and Garage 66 to see how this new chapter unfolds.