CASEY MEARS EYES BIG PICTURE IN GATORADE DUEL

Player Management International Media Release

Daytona Beach, FL (February 23, 2012) – After going on a tear around the high-banked racetrack of Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Casey Mears’ excitement was obvious when his #13 GEICO Ford Fusion rolled off the starting grid on the outside pole in today’s Gatorade Duel #2.  What followed would thwart his enthusiasm. 
 
As the saying goes: “Winning the Duel 150 results in three days of glory, while winning the Daytona 500 results in glory for the rest of your life.”  Mears would reflect on this point repeatedly as he slowly worked backwards after starting second.  With a guaranteed starting position in the Daytona 500 and a racecar fully capable of visiting Victory Lane, Mears thought it wise to retreat and ensure his #13 GEICO Ford Fusion would be in perfect condition for Sunday’s race.
 
When the green flag turned the field loose under bright skies on Thursday afternoon, Mears remained at the front of the field before dropping to sixth on lap ten.  He would continue his gradual descent before the checkered flag ultimately scored the #13 GEICO Ford Fusion in the 18th position. 
 
“We accomplished our goal of keeping the GEICO Fusion intact and staying out of trouble, but it’s hard not to go out there and race, especially when our car feels so strong,” Mears said.  “You just have to think ‘big picture’ and Sunday obviously means way more than Thursday.  It’s great that we are locked into the Daytona 500, so we welcome these types of problems.  It’s much better than having to stress over racing our way in.”  He continued, “Executives from GEICO and also from our new sponsor B’laster will be here on Sunday, so we want to put on a show for them and have a good run.”
 
The Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race is on Sunday, February 26, 2012, and it will be televised live on FOX beginning at 12:00 PM (ET).  The Motor Racing Network (MRN) will carry the live radio broadcast.
 
To learn more about the GEICO racing program, please visit: www.geicoracing13.com
 
You can also follow GEICO Racing on Twitter: www.twitter.com/geicoracing
 
Learn more about B’laster Corp. by visiting: www.blastercorporation.com
 
Please visit the Casey Mears Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/caseymearsracing