Mears Goes Through Atlanta Following Family Footsteps to Indianapolis 500

	ATLANTA, Monday, April 23, 2001 - With Mears as his last name, one
would expect that Casey would have grown up in the garages of Indianapolis
Motor Speedway. After all, his uncle, Rick Mears is a four-time winner of
the Indianapolis 500, and his father, Roger, put his off-road racing career
on hold long enough to make two starts at the legendary Brickyard.
	But surprisingly, Mears only attended the Indianapolis 500 once,
last year as a spectator sitting in the grandstands. This year he will make
a second visit to the hallowed racetrack, now as a driver with Galles Racing
and teammate to Al Unser Jr.
One has to wonder, though, if having "Mears" as a last name puts any added
pressure on the young driver, especially considering the success his uncle
has had at Indianapolis, drinking the traditional winner's milk in 1979,
'84, '88 and '91.
	"I have never felt any pressure in carrying the Mears name," he
said. "The people that matter most know I am a young driver coming through
the ranks doing the best job I can in a sport I love. I am very proud of
where I've come from."
	Father Roger Mears has a different perspective.
	"I don't know," the senior Mears said about his son facing extra
pressure in living up to the family legacy. "I guess it does (add more
pressure) in some degree, but really, most of the pressure comes from within
by Casey putting it on himself."
	Though a rookie in the Indy Racing Northern Light Series, Mears is
no stranger to the driver's compartment of a race car. In the 1999 season,
Mears completed every lap of Indy Lights competition and was second in the
points championship. Last season he finished fourth in his CART debut in
Fontana, Calif., driving for Team Rahal. Mears also has had tremendous
experience in off-road racing, winning races in the stadium SuperLite
Series.
	With several driving opportunities offered to him last season, Mears
chose Galles Racing and the Northern Light Series for one reason -- the
Indianapolis 500.
	"My choice was based on what was the next best step in my career,
and of course, the Indy 500 plays into that," Mears explained. "Winning the
Indy 500 has always been a dream, and an opportunity such as the one I have
with Galles Racing that gives me the chance to realize my dream was
definitely the best choice."
	The 23-year-old driver was at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last
week for the requisite Rookie Orientation Program.
	"I'm just kind of checking this place out, getting ready to go,"
Mears told the Indianapolis Star. "I can't wait."
	Mears, however, will have to wait a few days longer. He has to get
through one more race before the Indianapolis 500, the April 28 Atlanta 500
Classic run at night under the lights of Atlanta Motor Speedway. This will
be his first visit to the 1.54-mile, high-banked oval where speeds for the
Indy Racing Northern Light Series cars regularly exceed 220 mph in
competition.