Casey Mears is still looking for his first Nextel Cup victory. Credit: Autostock

Mears' future at Ganassi still not determined

BROOKLYN, Mich. --- Casey Mears' future in the No. 41 Dodge is still not certain, team owner Chip Ganassi said Sunday at Michigan International Speedway.

	Credit: Autostock
	Inside the Numbers Casey Mears in the Cup Series Category Stat Starts 86 Wins 0 Top-5s 2 Top-10s 11 Poles 2 Laps Led 129 Avg. Start 20.0 Avg. Finish 25.2 ALSO Dodge Fast Track

"Casey's done a great job here," Ganassi said. "In the third year of his career -- we were hoping for a little more performance, but that's not to say he's not going to be there next year."

Ganassi holds the option to pick up the final year on Mears' current contract.

"I talked to Casey [Sunday] morning and told him, 'Hey, I've got a plan and you're in it,'" Ganassi said. "And that's what's going on right now. Is it nailed? The answer is no."

Ganassi didn't rule out the possibility that he may field four Nextel Cup teams in 2006, with drivers Jamie McMurray, Mears, newly appointed Coors Light/Lone Star Steakhouse Dodge driver David Stremme and young Reed Sorenson.

Sorenson leads the NASCAR Busch Series points standings in Ganassi's No. 41 Discount Tire entry.

"The guy's leading the Busch points right now, so you never know," Ganassi said. "One could conclude that people would certainly be looking at him as the next person to come along."

Speculation has also arisen of late that Mears' crew chief, Jimmy Elledge, is being considered for hire by other teams, including the No. 8 driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Ganassi said he expects all four crew chiefs in his stable - three Nextel Cup, one Busch Series - to be back in '06.

"You're always evaluating everybody on your team, and not just the drivers," Ganassi said. "In this business you're always trying to come with a balance of people, something you can build upon, something you can go forward with."