As has been the case the last four weeks, the focus of this week's NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at Lowe's Motor Speedway will be on the 12 deserving drivers who qualified for the title deciding Chase for the Nextel Cup, particularly championship frontrunners Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.
But is there a third Hendrick Motorsports driver who could steal the show this weekend?
There is, and his name isn't Kyle Busch - the third Hendrick Motorsports driver in the Chase.
The driver is the often forgotten Casey Mears.
Ever since winning his first career Cup race (which, coincidentally, took place at Lowe's earlier this season), Mears has been showing the promise that many had predicted but few had seen.
In the last four weeks, the driver of the No. 25 National Guard Chevrolet has scored four consecutive top 10s. Combine that with the fact that the winner of the Coca Cola 600 has returned in October and swept the Lowe's Motor Speedway races, and it could equal a very special weekend for the entire "Mears Gang."
What do you think? Can Casey Mears steal the spotlight from the Chase drivers as Greg Biffle did two weekends ago? Which Chase driver can halt Mears' sweep dreams?
Its about time the media started giving Casey his props. He has been consistent over the past few weeks and nobody is taking notice on how much progress this team has made this year. Thanks for finally giving Casey some credit.
I am a huge Casey Mears fan and I am glad he is finally getting some attention and respect. I imagine it will be in short supply when he gets his new teammate next year. But he's okay with being in the shadows and that's why I love him!
Casey has been having great runs all year long and if it wasn't for bad luck he would be in the Chase. If you look at where he was running when he either got caught up in a wreck or had an equipment problem you'll see he's been every bit as good or better than Jeff, Jimmie, and Kyle. Casey won't be that "other Hendrick driver" for long.
It is about time! More people need to be taking notice of Casey. I know with Gordon, Johnson and now Earnhardt, Casey tends to be the forgotten member of HMS. I, for one, will be rooting for Casey to win this weekend!
