MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Beard Motorsports introduced that veteran NASCAR Cup Collection driver Casey Mears will pilot the family-owned crew’s No. 62 Chevrolet in 5 Cup Collection races starting with the April 26 Jack Hyperlink’s 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
The brand new collaboration consists of 4 extra races for Mears and Beard Motorsports, culminating with Mears’ five hundredth profession Cup Collection begin within the season finale Nov. 8 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Owned and operated by the Beard household, the crew has been a fixture in superspeedway races at Daytona (Fla.) Worldwide Speedway and Talladega since its Cup Collection debut within the 2017 Daytona 500. Launched by the late Mark Beard Sr., Beard Motorsports has additionally made choose appearances at different tracks, and that may proceed in 2026.
Along with the Jack Hyperlink’s 500 and the season-ending race at Homestead, Mears and Beard Motorsports will be a part of forces for the Brickyard 400 on July 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Aug. 29 at Daytona, and the YellaWood 500 on Oct. 25 at Talladega.
“We’re thrilled with the chance to associate with Casey Mears for these 5 races in 2026,” mentioned Amie Beard-Deja, govt vp, Beard Motorsports. “It has been nicely documented that Beard Motorsports is a ardour mission for my household and we’ve been dedicated to carrying on what my dad began. To take the No. 62 Chevrolet to new venues is past something we may’ve imagined after we began in 2017.
“After listening to about Casey’s need to get to his five hundredth Cup Collection begin, we began speaking. His expertise within the NASCAR Cup Collection and on the tracks we’ll go to with him this yr makes us very excited for the remainder of the season.”
Mears, who turned 48 earlier this month, made his Cup Collection debut in 2003 and was a fixture in NASCAR’s prime division for 14 seasons, scoring a win within the 2007 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. He stepped away from full-time racing following the 2016 season, however has continued to make choose Cup Collection begins, together with his most up-to-date race coming earlier this yr within the Daytona 500.
When Mears takes the inexperienced flag Nov. 8 at Homestead, he’ll turn out to be one among simply 48 drivers who’ve reached 500 profession Cup Collection begins. Supporting Mears’ 2026 run with Beard Motorsports is a group of longtime companions, that includes the Gracie Basis.
Impressed by the late Gail “Gracie” Germain, the muse strives to lighten the burden of the emotional journey of battling most cancers by means of the act of a easy gesture – Gracie Items. These superbly packaged care packing containers, stuffed with comforting, uplifting and pampering objects, are despatched to girls present process most cancers remedy.
Gail Germain is the late spouse of former Cup Collection automobile proprietor Bob Germain, for whom Mears drove the No. 13 Germain Racing entry for practically seven seasons. The pair share a longstanding relationship, with Germain serving to fund Mears’ pursuit of 500 Cup Collection begins.
“Partnering with Beard Motorsports, a crew based by the late Mark Beard Sr., and operated by his spouse and daughter, means so much to me. We now have a feel-good story that connects with race followers,” Mears mentioned. “One factor I’ve realized over the last yr is how a lot I nonetheless love racing and competing. I’m extremely appreciative of Bob Germain and his continued assist as I shut in on 500 Cup begins. His generosity is shifting and I’m grateful for his friendship.
“I’ve watched Beard Motorsports race through the years, and it’s a crew that doesn’t simply present up for superspeedway races – they make races and are aggressive. As a racer, that’s actually interesting,” Mears added.
