Casey Mears (41) hits the sliding car of Michael Waltrip. Credit: Autostock
By Marty Smith, Turner Sports Interactive
March 24, 2003
11:13 AM EST (1613 GMT)
BRISTOL, Tenn. - The inevitable mayhem at Bristol Motor Speedway can make even the most seasoned veterans feel - and look -- like rookies.
So imagine how the rookies must feel.
Casey Mears learned that lesson in rapid fashion Sunday afternoon, as the wrath of NASCAR's fastest half-mile claimed the young driver just 28 laps into his first career Food City 500.
Mears, one of six drivers competing for the 2003 rookie of the year crown, was running near the rear of the field when Dale Jarrett, Michael Waltrip and Dave Blaney got together in Turn 1 to bring out the day's second caution.
On the ensuing restart, John Andretti was forced to slam the brakes. Subsequently, Mears hit him hard in the rear, badly damaging the front of the Target Dodge.
"I just know that John suddenly stopped - not sure if something happened in front of him," said Mears amid the obnoxious roar of his competitors' engines. "I never saw any of it. Never saw it coming."
Mears returned to the track more than 70 laps down, and eventually finished 32nd.
|
