Mears forced to backup after practice wreck

FONTANA, Calif. -- Casey Mears wrecked his best car in the second practice for Sunday's Auto Club 500, forcing the team to go to a back-up Dodge.

	Casey Mears

Mears got loose in Turn 2 and slammed the right side of his car into the wall. Mears drove back into the garage and hopped into his backup for five laps of practice before the session ended.

Mears had driven the Dodge to a pair of career-best seventh-place finishes earlier this season at Texas and Las Vegas.

It was also the car Mears used to lead 37 laps at Atlanta before a blown engine ended his day.

"(I) just lost it off (Turn) 2," Mears said. "It stepped out on me. I got it saved, but I was up in the groove and flat-sided it. I probably should have spun it out."

The wreck negates Mears' 13th starting spot, forcing him to go to the rear of the field before the green on Sunday.

ALSO  •  World of Dodge  •  2nd Practice Speeds

Mears had been sixth quickest in the first practice before the accident, but he says the backup drove well.

"(The backup) hasn't ran this year. It is the chassis we won the three ARCA races in," Mears said. "I ran five laps in it and felt good about it. Actually, after this morning, I felt pretty good."