Mears starts 19th for Coca-Cola 600

CONCORD, N.C. (May 23, 2003) --- Team Target driver Casey Mears will start 19th in the No. 41 Target Dodge for the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway Sunday evening.

Mears' fast lap was recorded at 29.671seconds (181.996 mph).  Ganassi teammates Jamie McMurray and Sterling Marlin qualified 17th and 36th respectively.

"I feel pretty good about that lap," Mears said after his qualifying run.  "Obviously we wanted to be faster, but it was a big pickup for us. A lot of it has to do with me running these ARCA races and Busch races. I felt so much more comfortable qualifying today."

Mears is running 1,000 miles at Lowe's Motor Speedway this weekend.  He finished fourth in the ARCA race earlier today in his No. 77 Target Dodge.  He will compete in his No. 19 Microsoft Dodge in the NASCAR Busch Series race on Saturday.  And he will be back in the No. 41 Target Dodge for the Winston Cup race on Sunday.

"I'm so excited about the Busch race tomorrow," Mears said.  "The bottom line is I ran a year of Busch, and then I got right in the Cup car. These guys have been in stock cars their whole lives, and whether I like to admit it or not, I've got a lot to learn. There's something to be said for experience, and that's what I lack right now. I feel pretty good. I'm ready for the 1,000 miles of racing. I'll be ready to go 600 miles on Sunday."

The Coca-Cola 600 will be broadcast live on FOX television and MRN radio on Sunday, May 25 at 5:30 p.m. EST.