Casey Mears and No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge
UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway Advance
Texaco/Havoline Team Facts:
Standings: Casey Mears and the Texaco/Havoline team remain second in the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings after their seventh-place finish in the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway two weeks ago. Mears is one of only two drivers to score top-10 finishes in the both races this season.
On a roll: Mears has scored top-10 finishes in four of the last five NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races he has competed in, including the final three races of the 2005 season. He finished seventh two weeks ago in California, second at Daytona, fifth at Homestead and fourth at Texas.
Lady Luck: Mears will be making his fourth start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) this weekend in the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. He has posted top-15 finishes in the three races he has run at the 1.5-mile track. He has a pair of seventh-place finishes to his credit, including last year’s race. His average finish at LVMS is 9.67.
Two celebrations?: Mears will celebrate his 28th birthday on Sunday in Las Vegas. He will then roll out in the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge for his 111th NASCAR NEXTEL Cup start and try to capture his first trip to victory lane.
Chassis: Crew chief Donnie Wingo and the Texaco/Havoline team chose chassis #401 for this weekend’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mears piloted this chassis in California to a seventh-place finish.
Casey Mears Quotes:
“Las Vegas has always been a good track for me. I typically finish in the top 10 and that’s what we need to do this weekend. We want to stay solidly inside the top 10 in the points and this is a good track to go back to and keep up the momentum we have.
“Momentum is a good thing. Things are going well for me and the Texaco/Havoline team and we have to keep it going. More than anything, momentum puts a smile on everyone’s faces. The good thing about getting off to a good start is that we have been able to put any doubts to rest about how we would perform together. The Texaco/Havoline team is a solid, top-notch team and it’s been great working with all of them.
“Growing up in racing, I’ve spent a lot of time in the Las Vegas area. My dad raced off-road races around this area several times a year, and then I started racing here in different series. What’s fun about this track is that my family and friends get to come out and enjoy it with me.”
