Mears vs. The Monster Mile

Contact: Nealie Hamilton, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, work: (704) 662-9642, cell: (704) 500-6068, nhamilton@ganassi.com <mailto:nhamilton@ganassi.com>

For Immediate Release

DOVER, Del. (June 1, 2003) --- It was Casey Mears vs. The Monster Mile on Sunday and The Monster Mile won. Mears, who qualified 22nd for the MBNA 400 at Dover International Speedway, spun out in Turn 4 on the first lap of the race and received heavy damage to his No. 41 Target Dodge.

Team Target worked behind the wall for approximately 120 laps before Mears got back out on the track. They repaired the following to the Target Dodge: rear housing truck arms, right header change, complete rocker panel, repair crush panels, repair side, and repair motor mounts. With two laps to go in the race, Mears was involved in another accident in Turn 1 that put him out of the race for good. Team Target finished in 40th place and remains 39th in championship points.

"I can't believe what a terrible day we had," Mears said. "I'm ready to get out of here and go to Pocono. We had a good test there last week in the ARCA car. We need to redeem ourselves there."

Saturday, Mears drove his No. 19 Microsoft Dodge to a 28th place finish in the Busch Series race at Dover. Mears was racing in sixth place when he was caught in an accident that put him out of the race early.

Ganassi teammates Sterling Marlin and Jamie McMurray finished 35th and 13th respectively.

Team Target will head to Pocono Raceway for the Pocono 500 on June 8, 2003. The race will be broadcast live on FOX television and MRN radio at 1:00 p.m. ET.

XXX

Nealie Hamilton
Media Relations
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
office: (704) 662-9642 x1130
cell: (704) 500-6068
nhamilton@ganassi.com