LADY IN BLACK NOT TOO TOUGH FOR MEARS AND GEICO TEAM
The GEICO Racing Team Records Eighth Top-25 Finish of the 2012 Season
Player Management International Media Release
DARLINGTON, S.C. (May 12, 2012) – There is a reason Darlington Raceway is known as ‘The Lady in Black.’ In one moment, a driver can be conquering the lady and in the next, she has reared her ugly head. This is why many drivers love going to the prestigious South Carolina track. GEICO Racing driver Casey Mears is no different and lists Darlington as his favorite racetrack on the Sprint Cup Series circuit.
Coming off a strong run at Talladega, which saw the No. 13 GEICO Ford Fusion lead laps and run at the front of the field, Mears and the Germain Racing team looked forward to the battle in Saturday night’s Southern 500. While their 31st place qualifying effort fell short of expectations, Mears had been 16th in the weekend’s final practice session earlier the same day, giving hope to the GEICO team.
As the 368-lap event began, Mears quickly knew that the handling of the GEICO machine was off. A long green flag run forced the crew to compete through three pit cycles before the first caution flag was displayed on lap 173. The California native reported to Crew Chief Bootie Barker that the Ford was loose in turns one and two and tight in turns three and four. Barker instructed Mears to take the wave around under the first yellow period to regain a lap. (complete release)
MEARS LEADS LAPS AT TALLADEGA; CUT TIRE DOESN’T DETER TOP 20 FINISH
Player Management International Media Release
Talladega, AL (May 6, 2012) – Talladega has a reputation for being one of the most exciting race venues on the NASCAR schedule. After recording their best finish of the 2012 season in Richmond a week ago, Casey Mears and the GEICO team looked to provide excitement of their own when they unloaded at Talladega Superspeedway.
Less than five minutes had elapsed in Friday’s opening practice session before Mears and his #13 GEICO Ford Fusion notched the top spot on the practice charts. Mears ultimately rested in the 7th position when practice concluded. On Saturday, he took to the high-banks of the legendary speedway for qualifying and after pacing the 2.66-mile facility in just 50.539 seconds, at a rate of speed of 189.477 miles per hour, he landed the #13 GEICO Fusion 25th on Sunday’s starting grid.(complete release)
MEARS AND GEICO TEAM REBOUND IN RICHMOND
Player Management International Media Release
Richmond, VA (April 28, 2012) – After a tough race in Kansas, the best medication would be a solid run in Richmond, VA. Mears and the GEICO team arrived at Richmond International Raceway on Friday poised for redemption and eager for a good result.
If Friday was any indication, Mears and his #13 GEICO Ford Fusion were in for a fast weekend. Mears jumped straight to the top of the charts in the opening practice session and ended up 17th by its conclusion. He later paced the ¾-mile oval in just 21.346 seconds during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying, landing him 26th on Saturday night’s starting grid.
After taking the green flag on a cold Saturday evening, Mears had dropped to 28th by the time the competition yellow waved on lap 50. Citing changing track conditions, crew chief Bootie Barker decided to only make an air pressure adjustment when Mears brought his #13 GEICO Fusion to pit road for fresh tires and fuel. Once the race went back to green, Mears began wheeling his GEICO machine towards the front of the field. The racecar’s handling improved and so did Mears’ lap times, as he began turning laps as quick as the leader. (complete release)
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