S.I. Yachts, one of the world’s oldest and largest dealers for both Viking Yachts and Valhalla Boatworks, is proud to announce its sponsorship of Casey Mears in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 23. Mears is just 10 starts shy of hitting 500 NASCAR Cup Series starts, and S.I. Yachts is excited to partner with him on his journey to achieve the prestigious milestone.
Mears will again join forces with Garage 66, the team he drove for at Martinsville Speedway in March. Garage 66 is co-owned by NASCAR veteran Carl Long. Mears will pilot the No. 66 S.I. Yachts Ford Mustang Dark Horse at the World Center of Racing.
One of the most innovative and successful premium new yacht dealers and brokerages in America, S.I. Yachts is owned by Germain Motor Company. In a sport steeped in history, the Germain family and Casey Mears share their own. Mears wheeled the No. 13 NASCAR Cup Series entry for Germain Racing from 2010 – 2016. He has remained close with his former boss, Bob Germain, making this a natural and nostalgic partnership.
“We’re excited to support Casey as he aims to surpass the 500-start milestone, and we’re thrilled to reconnect with him in NASCAR,” said Zach Germain, CEO of S.I. Yachts. “Casey is a person of high character who aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering high-quality, premium boats along with top-tier customer service. We’re dedicated to helping people create memories on the water, and we’re excited to help Casey make memories on the track.” He continued, “I got my enthusiasm for fishing and boating from my Uncle Bob Germain, and it’s an honor to be a Viking and Valhalla dealer because of our shared passion and the memories we’ve created over the years.”
The No. 66 S.I. Yachts Ford Mustang will also feature a nod on the C-post to Bill Healey, one of the founders of Viking Yachts, who recently passed at the age of 97.
Global fintech leader Acrisure, which partnered with Mears at Martinsville, will again ride along as a major associate sponsor in Daytona. The Acrisure branding will be prominently featured as the company remains committed to accompanying Mears on his journey to 500 Cup Series starts. Acrisure offers business and insurance solutions to approximately 3,000 automotive dealer clients nationally.
“We’re happy to again partner with Casey, a driver who excels on and off the racetrack, complementing Acrisure’s culture of execution and elite performance,” said Vernon Leake, CEO of Acrisure Protection Group. “Daytona International Speedway is a legendary motorsports venue and bucket list race for most, so we’re excited to have Acrisure on board with Casey and support him as he continues his pursuit of such a worthy accomplishment.”
Mears’ success at Daytona International Speedway is well-documented. Aside from a host of Top 5 and Top 10 finishes, the Bakersfield, CA, native has completed an impressive 4,234 of 4,528 laps at a track known for its mayhem. He’s widely regarded as one of the top restrictor-plate racers in the business, and his 93.5% lap completion rate at the 2.5-mile, high-banked facility is a testament to his patience, skill and quick reflexes.
Only 47 drivers in NASCAR Cup Series history have made 500 starts, and the only active drivers with this achievement are Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Michael McDowell.
“I’m excited to have this opportunity to return to one of my favorite tracks, and I’m grateful to S.I. Yachts and Acrisure for their support, and to Carl Long for putting me in his car,” Mears said. “My relationship with Bob Germain and the Germain family is special to me, so it’s only appropriate for us to return to Daytona, a track where we’ve had a lot of success together and share many special memories. I’m also appreciative of Acrisure’s continued partnership. I’ve enjoyed the relationship we’ve built, and I look forward to our continued collaboration.”
Carl Long, a fixture in the sport for nearly three decades, is excited to partner with Mears at Daytona.
“I’m glad we could put this partnership together, and we’re excited to have Casey in our car at Daytona,” Long said. “We secured a Roush Yates engine and a quality pit crew, so we’re looking forward to hitting the track. We appreciate the support of S.I. Yachts and Acrisure, and it means a lot to have the Germain family’s backing. The Germain family has a storied history in NASCAR, with two NASCAR Truck Series Championships and a Cup Series team that spanned 12 years, so I’m honored to have them on board with us this weekend.”