A Milestone in the Making
Casey Mears, a stalwart of the NASCAR Cup Series, is poised to celebrate a career landmark as he pushes toward 700 starts in the premier division.
The veteran has agreed to a part‑time schedule with Beard Motorsports for the 2026 season, a deal that will see him compete in six selected events.
Originally, Mears had mapped out a five‑race plan to reach the 700‑start threshold, but a points deficit that left him unable to qualify for the Talladega Superspeedway event forced a revision of those ambitions.
In response, team owner Mike Beard and the driver’s crew negotiated an additional slot, expanding the calendar to include a sixth race that now encompasses Pocono Raceway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Daytona International Speedway, Talladega and Homestead‑Miami Speedway.
The next challenge arrives on June 14, when Mears takes the green flag at Pocono. Should he make the field, the outing will mark his 696th career start, edging him closer to the coveted 700‑race milestone.
Chasing the 700‑Start Goal
Following Pocono, the schedule funnels Mears through a string of historic tracks — Indianapolis, Daytona, Talladega and finally Homestead‑Miami — each offering a chance to accumulate the remaining starts needed to eclipse the 700‑race barrier.
While the road is littered with logistical and competitive hurdles, the driver remains focused on the end point: a personal benchmark that reflects years of perseverance and a deep‑rooted love for the sport.