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Robbie Reiser (left) and Matt Kenseth have worked together for nearly a decade. Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

Kenseth, Mears deny they are headed to DEI

By Marty Smith, NASCAR.COM
August 6, 2005
03:10 PM EDT (19:10 GMT)

INDIANAPOLIS -- Matt Kenseth and Casey Mears on Saturday denied recent speculation that they would leave their respective teams in favor of driving the No. 15 Chevrolet at Dale Earnhardt Inc.

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Casey Mears Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

"Am I going to DEI? No," Kenseth said following Nextel Cup Series practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "I'm happy at Roush Racing."

Fair enough. Mears?

"I'll say right now I'm 99.9 percent sure I'm going to be with Ganassi next year," Mears said.

"We had a meeting a few days ago and everything looks real positive to do something for next year, and right now we're 100 percent effort to try to make something happen for here, next year, for Ganassi.

"Without making any announcements, we're trying to put things together for here at Ganassi."

DEI competition director Richie Gilmore said Saturday that the organization was eyeing a driver younger in age than Dale Earnhardt Jr., that is also very marketable and was very fast in Saturday's practice.

Mears is nearly four years younger than Junior. And he was atop the speed chart Saturday.

Mears said, though, that he hasn't so much as spoken with DEI about driving its third car.

"I haven't talked with anybody," Mears said. "Almost every team that's had some sort of availability for next year has mentioned, hey, if you are let go next year we'd be interested in having you, but nothing's gone beyond that.

"I'm trying to stay here (at Ganassi). I came from open wheel stuff with no experience at all, and Chip gave me a first year, and we suffered through that, the whole team did, and they've stuck by me the last couple years.

"They want to make something happen for next year and we're in the middle of figuring that out."

Chip Ganassi said he hopes an agreement can be reached.

"Casey's a good guy, he's been with us in the past and I'm hoping he's going to be with us in the future," Ganassi said.