Player Management International Media Release
Concord, N.C. (October 12, 2013) - Coming off of an exciting manufacturer and alliance announcement regarding the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, Casey Mears and the GEICO Racing team entered Charlotte Motor Speedway on a high note, looking to finish the current season with momentum. However, from the moment the Germain Racing crew unloaded their Ford on Thursday to the checkered flag flying on Saturday night, handling issues hindered and derailed the team to a 31st-place finish in the Bank of America 500.
Mears took to the 1.5-mile track on Thursday afternoon for the opening practice session prior to qualifying under the lights. With an early draw in time trials, the veteran driver placed his GEICO machine in the 28th starting position. The final two practice sessions on Friday left Mears and crew chief Bootie Barker searching for ways to make their Ford Fusion better before Saturday's main event.
Shortly after the green flag flew to start the 334-lap race, Mears radioed to his team that the GEICO Ford was barely touching the racetrack and was "massive tight." The first caution of the night came on lap 26 for an accident in turn one. Barker brought his driver to pit road for four tires, fuel, packer, air pressure, and track bar adjustments. Mears was scored in 41st-place as the field restarted on lap 30. While the adjustments helped the handling for the first few laps, as the green flag run continued Mears needed more rear grip as the back end of the GEICO Ford was sliding around the track.
The second yellow flag was displayed on lap 84 for oil on the track, allowing Mears to return to pit road for additional changes to his GEICO Fusion. Barker called for major adjustments, including packer, camber, wedge, and track bar, in addition to four fresh tires and fuel. Restarting on lap 91 in 37th-place, Mears gained a couple of positions quickly before the handling plagued him once again. The California native radioed the car was "loose on entry, tight to the center, tight on the gas, and loose late exit."
Over the next 100 laps, a long green flag run ensued as the field spread out and forced the teams to make pit stops. The GEICO crew continued to work on the handling of the car with every opportunity Mears could visit pit road. During the final 25 laps, debris was found on the backstretch, bringing out the fourth and final caution. With Mears coming to pit road a handful of laps earlier, Barker instructed his driver to take the wave around and regain one lap to the leaders. With 22 laps remaining on the restart, Mears gained as much ground as he could and crossed the finish line in the 31st position.
Next weekend, Mears and the No. 13 GEICO Racing team will head to Talladega Superspeedway for the final restrictor plate race of the 2013 season. The Camping World RV Sales 500 weekend will kick off on Friday with two practice sessions, followed by qualifying on Saturday. On Sunday, October 20th, live coverage of the 188-lap race can be seen on ESPN beginning at 1P.M. Eastern. MRN (Motor Racing Network) will also carry the live radio broadcast.
To learn more about the GEICO Racing program, please visit: www.caseymearsracing.com
You can also follow GEICO Racing on Twitter: www.twitter.com/geicoracing
Please visit the Casey Mears Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/caseymearsracing