Casey Mears doesn't see eye-to-eye with Tony Stewart on the issue of bump drafting. Credit: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Mears: Stewart bump comments 'ridiculous'

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Casey Mears considers the notion that bump drafting puts drivers' lives in danger "ridiculous," and said if NASCAR over-polices it the Daytona 500 will be flat boring.

Following the Budweiser Shootout, Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart said if NASCAR didn't temper bump drafting the drivers were "probably going to kill somebody."

BUMP DRAFTING Tony Stewart is afraid of what might happen if NASCAR doesn't change the rule on bump drafting.  •   Complete story, click here NASCAR series director John Darby sent a strong message that excessive bump drafting will result in penalties.  •   Complete story, click here NASCAR president Mike Helton has officially warned drivers that aggressive driving will not be tolerated.  •   Complete story, click here Mike Helton's bump-drafting warning apparently worked as NASCAR didn't have to intervene during the Gatorade Duels.  •   Complete story, click here Top finishersJunior and Stewart talk about the rough racing at the Bud Shootout Things get hairyKyle Busch, Stewart get together and a near-miss for Edwards Bumper cars?Mike Helton addresses the bump-drafting issue at Daytona Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

Mears, watching on television, was amused.

"It was ridiculous. I laughed when he said it," Mears said. "I like Tony, but he's known for overreacting. I think [Dale Earnhardt Jr.] summed it up perfectly when he said we get paid a lot of money to do this.

"It made me laugh that Junior got out of his car laughing, talking about how much fun it was, and Tony reacts that way. He needs to pay attention to what he says. He's a champion. People are going to react to what he says."

Mears fears NASCAR might overreact.

Prior to Thursday's Gatorade Duels the sanctioning body implemented "no zones" -- areas where bump drafting is prohibited and results in a penalty if NASCAR officials witness a driver doing it.

"The worst thing they can do is take away bump drafting," Mears said. "My first year there really wasn't much bump drafting. Honestly it was kind of boring to me because all you were doing was riding in a line.

"Don't get me wrong. You have something to do with it. You have some control on what goes on, but with bump drafting you can create your destiny a little bit more.

"You can help your line move, and that's what makes this racing fun. Ever since we started doing that, I've enjoyed this type of racing. Before that, it was just kind of boring."

One proposed remedy is softening up the front ends of the cars. Mears doesn't buy it.

"If they soften the noses and stuff like that, that's one idea. I don't think that's a good thing," Mears said. "If the guy in front of you brake-checks you a little bit, and you cave in your [grill] then your race is over.

"The way the cars are now there could be a big crash and you could actually maybe hit somebody and continue to race. In my opinion, that's one of the worst things they could do."

Young drivers -- namely Kyle Busch -- have born the brunt of the ill-will regarding bump drafting.

"As a rookie, I was told I need to earn respect, stay in line and make people want to race with you," Mears said. "Kyle's a good driver, but his aggressive style on these tracks makes people nervous. He's shown he's fast but hasn't earned a lot of respect."