Target Dodge gets top-5 in ARCA Race

CONCORD, N.C. (May 23, 2003) --- Casey Mears drove the #77 Target Dodge to a fourth place finish in the ARCA race at Lowe's Motor Speedway.  Driving in his first ARCA race of the season, Mears accomplished the goal of gaining valuable seat time at Lowe's Motor Speedway in advance of Sunday's NASCAR Winston Cup race.

Qualifying was rained out on Wednesday, May 21 therefore the starting line up was set by owner points.  Mears started 31st in his #77 Dodge entered by Braun Racing.

By lap 6, Mears gained 10 positions and continued to move up through the field.  He radioed in early explaining that he car was feeling tight in the corners.  A caution on lap 27 allowed Mears to pit, changing all four tires.  He went back out in 15th position. 

For the next seven laps, Mears continued to gain positions but said the car felt tighter than before.  Crew chief Jimmy Elledge determined that a right side tire was put on the left front.  Mears had to bring the Target Dodge down pit road for an unscheduled pit stop during a caution period.  Team Target changed left side tires to fix the problem and Mears went back out in 23rd position with 22 laps to go.  Mears continued to gain positions, but not enough time was left to get to the top.  

"It was unfortunate that we had pit problems," Mears said.  "We had a very strong car today and we definitely would have won.  We've got three more ARCA races that were competing in and I know we're going to get this Target Dodge to victory lane."

Mears will run 1000 miles at Lowe's Motor Speedway this weekend.  Now that he has completed the ARCA race, he will race the No. 19 Microsoft Dodge in the Busch Series on Saturday and the No. 41 Target Dodge in the Coca-Cola 600 Sunday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Casey Mears and Team Target will compete in the June 7th ARCA race at Pocono Raceway.  They will also enter the June 14th Michigan race and the July 26th Pocono race.  Mears will drive a Target Dodge in all four races.  In order to obtain existing owner's points, Braun Racing will enter Mears' #77 Target Dodge for the ARCA races.