Of Beer and Homeland Security

In addition to MWR drivers, I will also often write about two of my other favorites: Kurt Busch and Casey Mears (yes, I do have quite the variety of drivers ). They had reasonably similar seasons of equal success and struggles, and shared the tendency to perform better than the results showed. Casey finished the 2006 season 14th in points while Kurt ended up 16th, only 14 points behind the Texaco-Havoline Dodge.

Kurt's season at times appeared more horrible than it actually was. The lack of consistency was what hurt him, since as often as he was running up front he would be near the back. He seemed to be battling with the Charger most of the time and as soon as he got a hold on it it would slip from his grasp again. Roy McCauley had his entire trust and confidence and driver, crew chief and team all appeared to be tight and happy despite their struggles. Bristol was a thrilling victory with a typical Bristol finale (except for maybe those snow angels!). Kurt's expeditions into the Busch Series were amazingly fruitful, with 6 top 10s and a pole out of 7 races, not to mention one of the greatest battles of the year at Watkin's Glen with Robby Gordon.

Off the track I saw a Kurt I had never seen before. In the four years of being his fan he smiled more in 2006 than 2003, 2004 and 2005 combined. Near the finish of 2005 I began to realize that Roush Racing was not the wonderful atmosphere it was supposed to be, but only after Kurt was a Penske driver did I fully understand what an emotional strain Kurt was under at Roush. Roger Penske allowed Kurt to be himself and gave him the guidance he needed to calm down. Overall Kurt is the same person I know and love, but he is now contented (and married!).

I expect 2007 to be a better year and hope the Miller Lite Dodge has what it takes to make the Chase and carry Kurt to a second championship. Rumors have floated around of Penske's interest in Toyota, so we'll see what happens with the Dodges in the near future...

Casey Mears should have gotten the Most Loyal Driver Award for two years in a row. Before Jamie McMurray was given permission from Ganassi to leave the organization a year before his contract ended, Casey was to be kicked out of the #41 for Reed Sorenson and put into a fourth team without experience or owners points. In English, he was about to be screwed over, but he was about to take the offer as a result of Ganassi sticking with him through a dismal rookie year. Fortunately for Casey (and possibly Ganassi, for Casey's fans were on the rampage), McMurray was released and Casey was suddenly and ironically sitting in the cockpit of Ganassi's flagship car, the #42 Texaco-Havoline Dodge.

He nearly won the Daytona 500 in 2006 and in a flash was one of the most talked about drivers in the Cup Series. Eyes of many other organizations were opened and his phone began to ring. Things began to fall into place when Brian Vickers announced he was leaving Hendrick Motorsports and Casey informed Ganassi of his intent to find a new 2007 ride a day later. On June 14th he was hired by HMS to drive for the superteam in 2007. Despite this, Casey never gave up on his #42 team (unlike McMurray seemed to) and they continued to have good days on the track and keep their spirits up. At the Chicago Busch race, Casey secured his first NASCAR victory which was a more emotional moment than normal, for it was a bittersweet reminder of how hard both Casey and his crew was working regardless of their 2007 status.

My hopes for Casey's 2007 season are extremely high. He is with a great team and a talented crew chief with good friends all around him. The National Guard is a sponsor any driver should be proud to represent as well.

All in all, things are looking good for both Kurt and Casey to make a run for the Cup in 2007.