Casey Mears Returns! 5 Cup Races with Beard Motorsports in 2026

The veteran driver aims to reach the 500-start milestone in NASCAR's top series.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 6:37am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a NASCAR race, with the car, track, and racing action broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and angles in a vibrant color palette, capturing the speed and energy of the sport.The vibrant return of veteran driver Casey Mears to the NASCAR Cup Series, partnering with the family-owned Beard Motorsports team, promises an emotional and visually captivating racing season ahead.Indianapolis Today

NASCAR veteran Casey Mears, now 48, will return to the Cup Series for five races in 2026 with the family-owned Beard Motorsports team. This comeback attempt is fueled by Mears' quest to reach the prestigious 500-start milestone, a feat only achieved by 47 other drivers. The partnership with Beard Motorsports, a team founded by the late Mark Beard Sr. and now operated by his wife and daughter, adds an emotional layer to the story as they aim to honor the family's racing legacy.

Why it matters

Mears' return to NASCAR's top level is significant as it represents the perseverance of a seasoned driver determined to cement his legacy. Additionally, the collaboration with the family-owned Beard Motorsports team highlights the importance of grassroots racing and the human connections that make the sport meaningful beyond just the results.

The details

Mears will compete in five Cup Series races with Beard Motorsports in 2026, including events at Talladega, the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This partnership will allow Mears to pursue his 500th career start, a milestone that only a select few drivers have achieved in NASCAR's top series.

  • Mears will make his first start with Beard Motorsports at Talladega Superspeedway in April 2026.
  • The team will then compete at the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July 2026.
  • Mears' final three races with Beard Motorsports will be at Darlington Raceway, Kansas Speedway, and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the fall of 2026.

The players

Casey Mears

A veteran NASCAR driver with over two decades of experience in the Cup Series, Mears is aiming to reach the prestigious 500-start milestone.

Beard Motorsports

A family-owned NASCAR team founded by the late Mark Beard Sr. and now operated by his wife and daughter, Beard Motorsports is providing Mears with the opportunity to continue his racing career.

Amie Beard-Deja

The executive vice president of Beard Motorsports and daughter of the team's founder, Mark Beard Sr.

Bob Germain

Mears' former car owner and the husband of the late Gail 'Gracie' Germain, whose foundation the team is partnering with.

Gail 'Gracie' Germain

The late wife of Bob Germain, whose foundation supports women battling cancer and is being honored through this partnership.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to honor Gail's legacy and support women facing cancer. This partnership with Casey and Beard Motorsports is the perfect way to do that.”

— Bob Germain, Founder, Gracie Foundation

“Expanding beyond superspeedways has always been a goal for our team, and having a veteran driver like Casey Mears join us is an incredible opportunity.”

— Amie Beard-Deja, Executive Vice President, Beard Motorsports

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This partnership between Casey Mears and the family-owned Beard Motorsports team represents the heart and soul of NASCAR racing. It's a story of perseverance, legacy, and the power of human connections that transcend the sport itself, inspiring others to pursue their own dreams and honor those who have come before them.