After an unfortunate DNQ at Talladega Superspeedway in April (due to inclement weather that forced the cancellation of qualifying), Casey Mears and Beard Motorsports have added a make-up race to the team’s 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule.
Mears, a veteran of the NASCAR Cup Series, will pilot the No. 62 Gracie Foundation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the June 14 event at Pocono Raceway, as the Bakersfield, California-native looks to reach 500 total starts at NASCAR’s top-level.
The 48-year-old driver last turned laps around the 2.5-mile triangle-shaped racetrack in 2016, and in 28 career starts at the Pennsylvania-based facility, has recorded one top-five (2007) and three top-10 finishes.
Beard Motorsports and Mears confirmed their collaboration at the end of March, which, aside from the make-up race at Pocono Raceway, will also include events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 26), Daytona International Speedway (August 29), Talladega Superspeedway (October 25), and the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway (November 8).
When the green flag drops at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Mears, a former winner of the Coca-Cola 600, will make his 500th start in the NASCAR Cup Series, something that he set out to do when returning to NASCAR’s top-level last season with Garage 66.
“We’re thrilled with the opportunity to partner with Casey Mears for these five races in 2026,” Executive Vice President of Beard Motorsports, Amie Beard-Deja, said in a March press release. “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.
“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.”
Mears returned to the NASCAR Cup Series last season with Garage 66 (formerly MBM Motorsports) and recorded a best finish of 18th-place in the October event at Talladega. Mears also qualified the team for the 2026 DAYTONA 500, after a daring last lap move to get through a multi-car wreck on the final lap.
“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. We have a feel-good story that connects with race fans,” Mears said. “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.
“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,” Mears added.
The Great American Getaway 400 Presented by VISITPA will take place on Sunday, June 14.
PHOTO: Nigel Kinrade, NKP for Ford Performance
