Mears should call time on NASCAR career

Wanted: American open-wheel series seeks new stars with racing pedigree to join it for the 2009 season.

With 60,000 fans at Richmond last night, when normally the Indycars draw - at best - 25,000, there's no question that even in the heart of NASCAR country, open-wheel racing is becoming a big draw again. And, yes, while Indycar has a Rahal and an Andretti, there's no reason it can't welcome a Mears into its ranks.

At New Hampshire on Friday, Hendrick Motorsports and Casey Mears announced that they would part company at the end of the 2008 season. For the moment, Mears is a free agent, stating he had hoped to confirm his 2009 plans so he could focus on the remainder of the Sprint Cup season.

Anyone who owns an Indycar team should see Mears, son of Roger Mears and Rick Mears' newphew, as hot property. First, consider the Mears legacy. Rick won four Indianapolis 500s; Roger is an off-road racing legend who also has competed at Indy. Second, Mears is a NASCAR driver which means bringing him to Indycar would make news, help the series add to its growing reputation and give the team - and series - some bragging rights.

Finally, Mears has experience in open-wheel racing, having competed in both Champ Car and the IRL. In between then and now he's gained experience and maturity, growing into a top driver who, last year, finished 15th in points in the Sprint Cup.

The only "missing ingredients" at this point is someone with guts enough to go out and sign him, and a sponsor willing to offer up the money to woo Mears away from NASCAR.

Mears, who is now 30, came to Rick Hendrick last year to take over the No. 5 Chevrolet, replacing Brian Vickers.

In a story that appeared on ESPN, team owner Rick Hendrick said, "None of us, Casey included, have been satisfied with the situation this season. We've put a ton of emphasis on the No. 5 program. It's been a total team effort, and Casey has worked as hard as anyone to help us improve. But the results just haven't come."

Mears added: "I know the effort has been there, but we haven't had the finishes to show for it. I've never tested this much or put more energy into racing. But for whatever reason, we just haven't been able to make it click. It's certainly not for lack of dedication on anyone's part."

With the momentum behind Indycar right now, the series should not pass up any opportunity. Think about the propsect to having a Mears run against an Andretti, a Rahal, a Patrick or a Hunter-Reay next season.