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Veteran NASCAR driver Casey Mears is on the cusp of achieving a significant career milestone, with a new agreement set to place him behind the wheel of the No. 62 Chevrolet for five NASCAR Cup Series races in 2026, driving for the family-owned Beard Motorsports team. Should Mears successfully qualify for all scheduled events, his 500th career Cup Series start will occur in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The upcoming campaign with Beard Motorsports represents a concentrated effort to reach this notable benchmark, a goal Mears has been steadily approaching for years. His most recent Cup Series appearance came in the 2026 Daytona 500, where he piloted the No. 62 Chevrolet for Garage 66, ultimately finishing 32nd after starting 17th. This event marked his 495th career start, underscoring his proximity to the 500-start club.
Mears’ Cup Series career, which commenced in 2003, boasts a single victory: a triumphant performance in the 2007 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This win remains a career highlight in a tenure marked by consistent participation and competitive drives across various teams.
The partnership with Beard Motorsports signifies a renewed opportunity for Mears to compete at the highest level of stock car racing and etch his name further into the sport’s history books. The team, a passion project established by the late Mark Beard Sr. and now managed by his wife and daughter, has consistently demonstrated a commitment to competing in the NASCAR Cup Series since its inception in 2017.
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Amie Beard-Deja, executive vice president of Beard Motorsports, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. "We’re thrilled with the opportunity to partner with Casey Mears for these five races in 2026," Beard-Deja stated. "It has been well documented that Beard Motorsports is a passion project for my family and we’ve been committed to carrying on what my dad started. To take the No. 62 Chevrolet to new venues is beyond anything we could’ve imagined when we started in 2017."
Beard-Deja further elaborated on the team’s motivation behind the deal. "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."
The initial five-race schedule for Mears with Beard Motorsports is set to commence on April 26th at Talladega Superspeedway. Following this superspeedway debut, Mears is slated to compete in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a second event at Daytona International Speedway, a subsequent race at Talladega Superspeedway, and the season-ending event at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This diverse selection of tracks offers Mears opportunities to leverage his experience on both high-speed ovals and road courses.
Mears himself shared his perspective on the new alliance, emphasizing the sentimental and competitive value of the partnership. "Partnering with Beard Motorsports, a team founded by the late Mark Beard Sr., and operated by his wife and daughter, means a lot to me," Mears commented. "We have a feel-good story that connects with race fans. 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."
He also highlighted the team’s operational ethos. "I’ve watched Beard Motorsports race over the years, and it’s a team that doesn’t just show up for superspeedway races – they make races and are competitive. As a racer, that’s really appealing."
Beard Motorsports has carved out a niche in the NASCAR Cup Series as a team that consistently fields competitive entries, often exceeding expectations given their resource allocation. While primarily known for their prowess on superspeedways, their commitment to expanding their racing calendar and seeking out veteran talent like Mears signals an evolution in their strategic approach. The team’s consistent presence at challenging venues like Daytona and Talladega has earned them respect within the garage.
The upcoming races will provide a valuable opportunity for Mears to not only achieve his personal career goal but also to contribute to the development and performance of the No. 62 Chevrolet. His extensive experience, particularly on the tracks included in the schedule, is expected to be a significant asset for Beard Motorsports. Talladega and Daytona are renowned for their unpredictable nature and require a blend of aggressive driving and strategic risk management, areas where Mears has demonstrated proficiency throughout his career. Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with its unique blend of oval and road course elements, presents a different challenge that Mears has tackled successfully in the past. Homestead-Miami Speedway, a track that has hosted the Cup Series championship in recent years, demands a precise setup and consistent performance.
The achievement of 500 Cup Series starts places a driver in an elite fraternity within NASCAR. This milestone is typically reached by individuals who have dedicated a significant portion of their professional lives to the sport, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and a sustained level of performance. For Mears, reaching this number after a career that began in the early 2000s underscores his longevity and enduring passion for racing. His single Cup Series victory, while modest in number, was a significant achievement in a highly competitive era.
The inclusion of Mears in the Beard Motorsports lineup is likely to generate considerable interest among race fans, particularly those who have followed Mears’ career or appreciate the narrative of a family-owned team striving for success. The team’s commitment to honoring the legacy of Mark Beard Sr. by continuing to compete at the highest level resonates with the grassroots spirit that remains a core element of NASCAR’s appeal.
As the 2026 season approaches, the focus will undoubtedly be on Mears’ performance in the No. 62 Chevrolet and his pursuit of the 500-start milestone. The combination of Mears’ experience and Beard Motorsports’ dedication to competitiveness sets the stage for an intriguing chapter in both their respective NASCAR journeys. The team’s strategic selection of races suggests a targeted approach to maximizing their impact and achieving their objectives for the season.
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