Mears Wins in Texaco/Havoline 2006 Debut
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla, (Jan. 29, 2006)
--- Casey Mears visited victory lane in his first race showcasing the Texaco/Havoline logo on his firesuit on Sunday. Mears was part of a three-man team that took the checkered flag in the prestigious 44th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. Mears, along with Chip Ganassi Racing IndyCar drivers Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon, drove the No. 02 Daytona Prototype entry to the checkered flag after 24 hours and 734 laps to claim the team's first ever win in the most famous endurance race in the country.
The prestigious win, the biggest in his career, marks Mears' fourth victory with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates after posting three in the ARCA Series his rookie year (2003). When the checkered flag waved, he became the first full-time NASCAR driver to ever win the race.
"I just can't believe I'm sitting here right now as a winner of this race," said Mears. "I honestly didn't think this would happen like this, so I'm very excited to have this one. First off, what a team Scott, Dan and I had behind us. I just can't explain it. These Ganassi guys went over the wall and back all night to keep this car running. Without them there's no way we could have accomplished this. It's been great to be part of the Target family and I'm glad to get this victory for Target in a race as big as the Rolex 24. I talked to Benny Parsons in Victory Lane and he said to me now that I've been to this place and seen Victory Lane, you're allowed to come back and visit. Hopefully that's exactly what I'll be doing when I come back here in a few weeks in the team's Texaco/Havoline NEXTEL Cup Series car."
The line-up of drivers Mears, Dixon and Wheldon overcame difficulties early in the race and again in the very early morning hours, but as of 6:29 a.m. (lap 557) the No.02 Target Riley took the overall lead and never relinquished it.
2003 IndyCar Series Champion Dixon's driving duties began and ended the team's 24 hour challenge to garner his first win at Daytona in his third attempt. The no.02 Target Riley led for a total of 272 laps.
"The race started well for the Target Team off the front row, but shortly thereafter we had a brake failure that we had to overcome." said Dixon. "After that, we had to replace a gearbox and an alternator - things that usually take quite a while to fix under any circumstances. The crew guys just continued to amaze me with their work under pressure and their ability to keep the car running at all costs. The whole effort is a credit to Chip Ganassi Racing and the kind of team we have."
Teammate Wheldon becomes the first to consecutively win three major North America racing titles by following up his 2005 Indianapolis 500 victory and IRL IndyCar Series Championship with the Rolex 24 at Daytona. He is also the eighth driver to win both the Indianapolis 500 and the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
"I'm very proud of this team." said Wheldon. "They worked so hard all night long. I joined this team expecting them to be very strong but the icing on the cake is to win my first race with them There are some great names that have won the Rolex 24 At Daytona and some even more impressive ones that go hand in hand with Chip Ganassi Racing. To be on both those lists is very special. This is one of the biggest races around, and to be a part of winning this for Team Target and the whole crew is something I've very proud of for sure. This team prides itself on winning the big races, and now I can say I'm a part of delivering one for those for the whole organization."
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