Casey Mears has four top-10 finishes this year. Credit: Autostock

Mears vows to stay loyal to 42 team until the end

Says he called Hendrick for advice and it turned into a new ride

A "lame duck" politican is one who is no longer accountable to his constituency, which is why Casey Mears refuses to think of himself in those terms, especially after the No. 42 team had to deal with a similar situation with Jamie McMurray last season.

Casey Mears will move over from the No. 42 to the No. 25 next season. Credit: Autostock

Inside the Numbers Casey Mears' 2006 stats Race Start Finish Status Daytona 14 2 running California 20 7 running Las Vegas 38 9 running Atlanta 10 21 running Bristol 12 25 running Martinsville 32 27 running Texas 20 14 running Phoenix 12 20 running Talladega 25 20 running Richmond 3 17 running Darlington 21 17 running Charlotte 30 23 running Dover 34 21 running Pocono 22 43 crash Michigan 37 7 running Average 22.0 18.2   NASCAR 24/7A day's worth of news in 90 seconds

"I don't like to look at our situation as a lame-duck deal," Mears said. "I'm not Jamie McMurray. I'm Casey Mears. I'm a different guy.

"These guys have been kind of run through the mud and they're kind of getting the same thing this year. That's what makes it very difficult. We're all in this to try and make that Chase and win races because we know that it's going to benefit everybody."

So could he follow in McMurray's footsteps and leave in the middle of the season?

"I really don't see that happening," Mears said. "I'd never rule anything out because anything is possible in this sport and I've seen some crazy things happen in the past, but right now I've got a commitment to Texaco/Havoline and the Ganassi organization to fill the end of this year and right now, that's the plan."

Mears said the decision to leave Chip Ganassi's operation for Rick Hendrick's No. 25 came quickly.

"When Brian [Vickers] made his decision to move on, it opened up a door at Hendrick," Mears said. "We probably haven't been talking for more than a week and a half. It all came down pretty quick.

"I've been close to Rick now for the last few years. Ricky was one of the first guys that I ever met when I moved back to North Carolina. I met Rick through him, obviously, and got to know a lot of the Hendrick people over the last three or four years."

Mears said he contacted Hendrick for his advice and that turned into a job opportunity.

"Over the last couple of years, kind of questioning or wondering where I was going to go, I've called Rick and asked his advice -- not so much as a team owner but just as a friend," Mears said. "It just so happened that a day or two after Brian made his announcement, I called Rick and asked him 'Here's something I'm thinking about doing, what do you think?'

"He said, 'You're never going to believe this. Brian came to me earlier today and said he was wanting out.' Everything came together really fast. Everything changed then and when there was an option open there, I didn't hesitate."

MEARS TO DRIVE 25 CAR Car owner Rick Hendrick on Wednesday announced the signing of driver Casey Mears to pilot Hendrick Motorsports' No. 25 Chevrolets in the Nextel Cup Series beginning in 2007. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.  •   Complete story, click here

One of the people Mears talked to about the No. 25 job was Vickers.

"Brian and I have talked a lot," Mears said. "[Last week], we went and had pizza. So we're still good friends and that won't change our personal relationship. He's pretty clear that he wants to go and do something different and I'm pretty clear that I'd like to have that ride."

At the same time, Mears said it will be difficult to leave Ganassi.

"I've been with Chip now going on four years at the end of this year," he said. "There's a lot of guys there that I've developed really good relationships with.

"It's tough because I know that making the decision I'm making is going to put them in a bit of a situation and you review all that when you're thinking about what you're going to do at the end of the day. There's a lot of positive things that can be brought out of the Chip Ganassi organization right now and I hope that they can find a quality guy."