Casey Mears on Cup future: “I’ve got nothing as of yet"

In addition to sponsoring the Geico 500, the auto insurance company will sponsor the 2.66-mile track’s restart zone starting this weekend and 10 additional International Speedway Corp. venues beginning in 2017.

But Casey Mears status for next year remains unclear. Mears, 38, joined Bob Germain’s team at Bristol Motor Speedway in August of 2010 and has piloted the No. 13 car ever since.

Rumors persist that Mears will be out at the end of the season to make way for Ty Dillon. Germain Racing currently has a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing. Dillon is Childress’ grandson. Neither race team has acknowledged their driver's status for next year.

“I’ve got nothing,” Mears told motorsport.com. “I’ve got nothing (to report) as of yet.”

A 14-year veteran on NASCAR’s Cup tour, Mears started his run with Ganassi Racing in 2003. In 2007, he was recruited by Rick Hendrick. His only Cup win in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway that same year in the No. 25 Chevy.

The Bakersfield, Calif.-native has one victory, three poles, 13 top fives and 51 top 10 finishes in 483 starts.

GEICO's expanded sponsorship within NASCAR

Patrick Judge, Geico’s Special Audience Marketing Planner, said the company was increasing its NASCAR spend for 2017 with the addition of the restart zones as well as continuation of race sponsorship and on select track campgrounds.

Judge said Geico’s relationship with Germain Racing continues through 2018. 

“We plan on being part of Germain Racing for that period of time,” Judge said.

When Mears was asked if he had anything new to report during the press conference, he simply offered, “Not at the moment.”

“We’re just focussing what we talked about at the beginning of the season and focus on the remainder of the season, first and foremost,” Mears said. “Right now, just focussing on getting through this weekend.”