Mears Set for 600th NASCAR Start with First-Ever Truck Series Appearance
There’s something genuinely special about watching a driver reach 600 NASCAR starts. It’s not just a number. It represents decades of dedication, countless hours behind the wheel, and the kind of persistence that defines what this sport is all about. When Casey Mears climbs into the No. 69 The Pit Stop Diecasts Ford F-150 at Martinsville Speedway on October 24, he’ll be joining one of the most exclusive clubs in NASCAR history.
The emotion hits different when you think about what 600 starts really means. We’re talking about a driver who has weathered every storm NASCAR could throw at him, from rule changes to ownership shuffles, from triumph to heartbreak. Casey Mears has seen it all, and now he’s adding a brand new chapter to his racing story with his first-ever NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start.
Casey Mears: The Journey to 600 NASCAR Starts
When you look at Casey Mears’ career, you’re looking at the definition of a racer’s racer. This isn’t some flash-in-the-pan story or a driver who got lucky for a few seasons. We’re talking about a man who won the 2007 Coca-Cola 600, which is one of NASCAR’s crown jewel races, and has consistently found ways to stay competitive across multiple decades. The path to 600 starts isn’t easy. Most drivers never even reach 300.
The fact that Mears has doubled that number speaks to his skill, his professionalism, and frankly, his love for the sport. You don’t stick around this long unless racing is in your blood. What makes this milestone even more meaningful is where it’s happening. Martinsville Speedway has always been a special place for drivers and fans alike. The half-mile paperclip has produced some of the most memorable moments in NASCAR history, and now it gets to host another historic moment as Mears reaches this incredible achievement.
MBM Motorsports Partnership Creates Perfect Storm
The partnership between Casey Mears and MBM Motorsports feels right. Carl Long’s organization has built a reputation for giving drivers opportunities to showcase their talents, and having a veteran like Mears behind the wheel brings instant credibility to the program.
“Having a driver like Casey in our truck is a huge moment for MBM Motorsports,” Long said, and you can hear the genuine excitement in those words. This isn’t just about putting another driver in a seat. It’s about bringing experience and professionalism that can elevate the entire organization.
The timing couldn’t be better either. While some teams might see the Truck Series as a stepping stone, Mears is approaching this as a new adventure. At this stage of his career, he doesn’t have anything left to prove. He’s racing because he loves it, and that kind of pure passion often produces the best results.
First Truck Series Start Adds New Dimension
What makes this story even better is that Casey Mears is making his Truck Series debut at age 46. In a sport where many drivers hang up their helmets by their late 30s, Mears is showing that experience and skill can trump youth. The Truck Series has always been known for its competitive racing and close finishes, and having a driver of Mears’ caliber joining the field only makes it better.
The black-and-red livery of the No. 69 The Pit Stop Diecasts Ford F-150 will be easy to spot on track, but more importantly, it represents something special for the diecast collecting community. The Pit Stop Diecasts sponsorship brings together hardcore NASCAR fans who appreciate the history and tradition of the sport, and precisely the kind of fans who understand what 600 starts means.
Martinsville has always been a track where experience matters. The half-mile bullring rewards drivers who understand how to position their cars, how to be patient when they need to be, and how to be aggressive when the moment is right. Casey Mears has all of those qualities in spades.
Elite Company: Understanding the 600 Start Club
When you reach 600 NASCAR starts, you’re joining truly elite company. We’re talking about legends of the sport, drivers whose names will be remembered long after they’ve parked their cars for the final time. The fact that Mears is reaching this milestone while simultaneously making his Truck Series debut makes it even more remarkable.
This isn’t just about longevity, although staying competitive for this long is an achievement in itself. It’s about consistency, professionalism, and the kind of respect that comes from peers and competitors alike. Casey Mears has earned every single one of those 600 starts.
The Truck Series debut adds an element of excitement that you don’t usually see with milestone starts. Usually, when a driver reaches a significant number like this, they’re doing it in familiar territory. Mears is choosing to celebrate this achievement by trying something completely new, and that takes courage.
What This Means for NASCAR Truck Series Racing
Having Casey Mears join the Craftsman Truck Series field, even temporarily, is a win for everyone involved. Young drivers in the series get to race against a Cup Series winner with decades of experience. Fans get to see a respected veteran try something new. And the series itself gets the kind of credibility boost that comes with attracting talent of this caliber.
The competitive balance in the Truck Series has always been one of its strongest selling points. On any given weekend, you might see a seasoned veteran battling door-to-door with a teenager making his professional debut. Adding Mears to that mix only makes the racing better.
Martinsville will provide the perfect backdrop for this historic moment. The track’s unique characteristics, including tight corners, long straightaways, and inevitable contact, will test every aspect of Mears’ racing ability. But if there’s one thing his 599 previous starts have taught us, it’s that he knows how to handle pressure.
The fact that Casey Mears chose to make this milestone start with MBM Motorsports and The Pit Stop Diecasts shows the kind of person he is. He could have probably found a ride with a bigger team or a more established program. Instead, he’s choosing to help elevate a smaller organization while celebrating his own achievement.
Final Thoughts
When the green flag drops on the Slim Jim 200 at Martinsville Speedway, racing fans will witness something special. Not just because it’s Casey Mears’ 600th NASCAR start, but because it represents everything great about this sport: perseverance, passion, and the willingness to keep chasing new challenges no matter how many laps you’ve already completed.
