sources tell me it is a lock that Gannasi Busch Series driver, Reed Sorenson will drive the #41 Dodge in 2005. Where Mears will end up, last rumor had him possible at the third Evernham team #91, also hearing that Mears could end up in the #2 Penske Racing Dodge, as Penske does have a history with the Mears family [Casey’s Uncle Rick won 4 Indy 500’s for Penske and still works for Penske](6-15-2005)
UPDATE – Mears to the #2? There hasn’t been a serious candidate to replace Rusty Wallace in the #2, but team owner Roger Penske pow-wowed with the Mears clan–including Casey Mears, driver of the #41 for Chip Ganassi Racing–at Michigan. Obviously, Rick Mears, a Penske consultant and four-time Indy 500 winner, could put in a good word for his nephew, and in the bigger (sponsorship) picture, Casey is exactly the type of young driver Miller Brewing is looking for to combat legions of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Bud fans. Penske also is developing Billy Wiese, a youngster who is racing midgets in the Midwest.(Sporting News)(6-27-2005)
AND Two of the sport’s top car owners, Roger Penske and Jack Roush, are trying to find new drivers to replace retiring Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin. Penske says he probably won’t make a decision until September.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-27-2005)
