Casey Mears, #41 Target Dodge, Dodge / Save Mart 350 Advance

RACE INFORMATION:

EVENT: Dodge / Save Mart 350 (race 16 of 36)
TRACK: Infineon Raceway
QUALIFYING: Friday, June 20, 3:05 p.m. PT
RACE: Sunday, June 22, 1:00 p.m. PT
BROADCAST: FOX television and PRN radio

TARGET TEAM FACTS:

-Chassis: Team Target will race chassis #004 at Sears Point.

-Raybestos Rookie: In the first race of 2003, Mears became the first rookie to lead a lap and the only rookie to lead a lap in the Daytona 500. Mears and Jamie McMurray are the first teammate rookies to compete for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors. Mears is currently third in Raybestos rookie of the year standings.

-California Natives: Casey Mears (Bakersfield), Jimmy Elledge (Redding), Dave Shano (El Cajon) and Roger Parkinson (El Cajon).

CASEY MEARS QUOTES:

"I think that we can do very well. I definitely have some road course experience compared to these other guys. One thing I have noticed in testing is that these cars are definitely different to drive on road courses. I'm looking forward to it. We had a good test. Jamie (McMurray) and I both ran very well in testing. We're looking forward to going back."

"I think road course racing breaks up the schedule and gives the fans something different to watch. I like it myself. I think that if there were a couple more road course races I think it would put more emphasis on road course racing and help the guys get a little more usage out of their cars. But if the road courses weren't in the schedule then I think there would be some of us that would really miss it."

"I knew the competition was really steep in Winston Cup. I didn't know how hard or easy the competition was going to be this year. I just kind of came into it with an open mind. This is a very tough series and I had a lot more to learn that I thought I did coming here. We want to sit on poles and win races and we're trying to do that. I think that it's been going pretty well. Chip's been giving me all the time in the world and really supporting me on this deal and trying to help me get all of the experience I can get with running these ARCA races and Busch races this year. I think we're right on track. The first part of the season was just really us finding ourselves. Jimmy Elledge (crew chief) and I are really starting to click now. We know what we need to do and where we need to be."

"It always feels good to win no matter what level you are at. Here I am in Winston Cup and I'm one of the only guys that hasn't run Late Models and gone into Busch and made their way into Winston Cup. I ran a year in Busch and jumped right into Winston Cup. It's important for me to build some sort of base in the ARCA series and even the Busch Series. Just build that history in stock cars that I don't have right now."

TEAM TARGET CREW:

Name Crew position Race shop duty Hometown
Casey Mears Driver Driver Bakersfield, California
Jimmy Elledge Crew Chief Crew Chief Redding, California
Andy Graves Team Manager Team Manager Syracuse, New York
Tony Glover Team Manager Team Manager Kingsport, Tennessee
Al Shuford Team Trainer Team Trainer Shelby, North Carolina
Darren Wolfe Front Tire Changer Front Mechanic Fletcher, North Carolina
Marty Forcier Front Tire Carrier Paint Shop Superior, Wisconsin
Randy Cox Rear Tire Changer Car Chief Trinity, North Carolina
Heath Cherry Rear Tire Carrier Race Day Only Belmont, North Carolina
Mark Jacobs Jack Man Race Day Only Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
Les Huntley Gas Man Suspension Specialist Renwick, Iowa
Todd Anderson Catch Can Man Chassis Setup Jewell, Iowa
Doug Spees Windshield Tire Specialist Toledo, Ohio
Andy Graves Spotter Team Manager Syracuse, New York
Russ Bales Engine Specialist Engine Specialist Sandy Springs, Georgia
Tim Smith Engineer Engineer Cope, South Carolina
Paul Clapprood Pit Support Front Mechanic Stafford Springs, Connecticut
Trevor Lynse Pit Support Test Team Fergus Falls, Minneapolis
Dave Shano Pit Support Truck Driver El Cajon, California
Bill Henderson Pit Support Rear Mechanic Brookfield, Massachusetts
Roger Parkinson Pit Support Shocks San Diego, California
Melissa Zeno Scorer Race Day Only Lynchburg, Virginia

XXX

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