Casey Mears always knew there would be growing pains when he joined Germain Racing in 2009, but the single-car operation has continued to improve and as they embark on their second season under the Ford Racing banner, the team is poised to make even more progress. The even-keeled Mears will be in his 11th full season as a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, which has included stops at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (2003-06), Hendrick Motorsports (2007-08), and Richard Childress Racing (2009-10).

The nephew of four-time Indianapolis 400 champion Rick Mears will likely surpass 350 career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts this season, but his most memorable moment undoubtedly came when he won his first and only race to date -- the 2007 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. 

* Mears had five all-time open-wheel starts in CART with his debut coming for car owner Bobby Rahal in 2000. He finished a career-best fourth in that race, which took place on the two-mile oval of Auto Club Speedway. 

* His versatility behind the wheel is evidenced by the fact he has won in stock cars (NASCAR, ARCA), sports cars (Grand-Am) and open-wheel (Firestone Indy Lights).

* A native of Bakersfield, Calif., Mears now resides in Charlotte, N.C., with his wife, Trish, and their two children -- Samantha and Hayden.

DID YOU KNOW?

Mears is the first full-time NASCAR driver to win the Rolex 24 at Daytona as he teamed up with Scott Dixon and the late Dan Wheldon to win the overall endurance race in 2006.