NASCAR driver chasing milestone misses Talladega – Sports News
Casey Mears’ quest for 500 profession NASCAR Cup Series begins has been derailed for now.
Mears, the 48-year-old NASCAR star, hoped to affix an unique membership of drivers who’ve reached 500 begins within the Cup Series. The record consists of Brad Keselowski, each Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr., Richard Petty, and Denny Hamlin, amongst many others.
“It rained on our parade at @TALLADEGA. Qualifying is canceled for rain. With 41 cars trying to make the 40-car field for the #JackLinks500, we are the odd man out as the field is set by current owners’ points. We’ll be back with @CJMearsGang to get him to 500 starts. Stay tuned,” Beard Motorsports’ assertion on social media learn.
The 48-year-old was scheduled to run in 5 races in 2026 in hopes that he would attain the mark he had been pining for: Talladega in April, Indianapolis, Daytona, Talladega as soon as again in October, and Homestead. Hearing the information, Mears posted a photograph of the driver record on his Instagram story with the caption: “Bummer… only one car going home. On to the next.”
The climate at Talladega was less-than-desirable, inflicting qualifying to be canceled and costing Mears a likelihood to make the 40-driver subject. Though he wasn’t assured a spot, the cancellation of qualifying meant the 48-year-old did not have an alternative to sneak into the sector.
With storms transferring into the realm, the sector was decided by a weighted average of the next: Owner standings accounted for 30 %, whereas the remaining 70 % was primarily based on the entry’s end in the latest race. NASCAR, with solely 40 drivers at Talladega, marked the primary time since 2018 that a driver did not qualify for a superspeedway race.
That stated, as a result of Mears solely raced within the Daytona 500 this season, his 495th begin, he was pushed out of competition at Talladega, with Reddick ranging from pole place for the fifth time in 10 races. Kyle Larson will be a part of the 23XI Racing star on the entrance row whereas Mears is relegated to watching the race.
Mears reaching 500 Cup Starts is a objective each he and Beard Motorsports share. Speaking on the partnership between himself and Beard, Mears said that it means “a lot” to him as he chases entry to the historic membership.
“We have a feel-good story that connects with race followers,” Mears stated in a assertion in late March. “One thing I’ve learned during the last year is how much I still love racing and competing. I’m incredibly appreciative of Bob Germain and his continued support as I close in on 500 Cup starts. His generosity is moving, and I’m thankful for his friendship.”
As for the team itself, Amie Beard-Deja, the executive vice president of Beard Motorsports, added, “After hearing about Casey’s desire to get to his 500th Cup Series start, we started talking. His experience in the NASCAR Cup Series and at the tracks we’ll visit with him this year makes us very excited for the rest of the season.”
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