Mears will try to race his way into The Winston

CONCORD, N.C. (May 16, 2003) --- Team Target driver Casey Mears will have to race his way into The Winston Saturday night.  Mears qualified 19th for The Winston Open, the qualifying race for The Winston, on Friday night.  If Mears wins The Winston Open, he goes on to race in The Winston for a $1 million dollar winning purse.

"It was a pretty disappointing run for us," Mears said.  "We don't have the greatest starting spot now but we're going to work hard in practice tonight to make the car better.  I'm confident that we can definitely get the car better for the race."

Mears' fast lap was recorded at 29.901 seconds (180.596 mph).  Ganassi teammates Sterling Marlin and Jamie McMurray qualified for The Winston in fifth and 23rd positions respectively.

The Winston Open will be broadcast live on FX television and MRN radio on Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET.