Casey Mears, Driver Of The No. 25 National GUARD/GMAC Monte Carlo SS: (On His Goals For The Rest Of The Season. ) “Last week was disappointing for us, but we’ve still got an outside shot at making the Chase if we can get strong finishes in each of the next six races. Our goals haven’t changed. We come to the track to win. And if we don’t have a car that can win, we want a top-five. If we’re not quite good enough for a top-five, we want that top-10. It’s about getting the best finish you can every week. “
MEARS: (On The Tracks Coming Up Before The Chase Field Is Set. ) “I feel good about the tracks coming up on the schedule. There are a number of places I feel like I’ve really improved as a driver over the years, and I think our testing efforts are going to help us out, especially at a place like Watkins Glen. There is definitely an opportunity for us to have a good stretch and make up some points. “
MEARS: (On Setting Up A Car To Handle Pocono’s Unique Corners. ) “Turn three seems to be the most crucial. I’ve worked on turn one a lot in the past, trying to get faster there because that’s a place you can pass, but really, a lot of your speed comes from turn three. If you can balance out those two with the setup, you’ll have a good car. “
MEARS KNOWS POCONO: In June, Casey Mears notched a career-best NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series result at Pocono Raceway when he finished fourth in the rain-shortened Pocono 500. The 29-year-old driver, who swept both ARCA Series races at Pocono in 2003, also earned his first career Cup pole award when he raced at the 2.5-mile triangular track in August 2004.
FOURTH-PLACE HABIT: This weekend, Mears will look to improve upon an impressive streak his National Guard/GMAC team has established at Pocono Raceway. In the past three NEXTEL Cup races there, the No. 25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet has earned three consecutive fourth-place finishes.
THE RETURN OF CHASSIS 393: Crew chief Darian Grubb has selected Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 393 for Sunday’s NEXTEL Cup event. The car saw race action earlier this year at Atlanta Motor Speedway, but will feature a brand new body this weekend at Pocono.
HITTING THE ROAD COURSE: On Wednesday, Mears and the No. 25 National Guard/GMAC Chevrolet team will test Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 440 at Road Atlanta, a 2.54-mile, 12-turn road course in Braselton, Ga. Grubb said the team plans to work on the Chevrolet R07 engine package and overall race tuning in preparation for the upcoming NEXTEL Cup race at Watkins Glen (N. Y.) International.
REPRESENTING THE KEYSTONE STATE: Three members of the No. 25 National Guard/GMAC Chevrolet team will return to their home state this weekend when the NEXTEL Cup Series circuit descends upon Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa. Chris Fasulka (gasman) is a native of nearby Wilkes-Barre, while Matt Myers (rear-tire carrier) hails from Ford City and Dave Radney (truck driver) was born in Canton.
MEARS GANG GATHERING: Casey Mears will greet fans and sign autographs at 10 a. m. local time on Sunday at the No. 25 National Guard/GMAC souvenir hauler outside Pocono Raceway.
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