Mears makes Texas debut.

For the first time in 2002, the Phillips 66 team will compete at a track where they have yet to test. The team tested at the first five tracks on the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series schedule prior to the running of the O'Reilly 300 at Texas Motor Speedway. The team will not be without notes, though, as teammate Hank Parker, Jr. tested his No. 36 Welliver-Jesel Motorsports Dodge at Texas Motor Speedway in March.

Casey Mears' thoughts on Texas: "From everything I've been told Texas Motor Speedway is a first class facility. Since the track was built I've looked forward to getting an opportunity to race there. Our team didn't test there, but my teammate Hank Parker, Jr. did which should give us a solid starting point for when we arrive."

The O'Reilly 300 at Texas Motor Speedway will mark the first time Mears has competed at the 1.5-mile oval, but it's not the first time the 24 year-old has raced in the "Lone Star" state. In fact, Mears has driven in three different racing series and three different styles of cars prior to the O'Reilly 300.

In the mid-1990s Mears raced in the Houston Astrodome in the off-road racing stadium SuperLite Series. In 2000, Mears won the Indy Lights event at the Grand Prix of Houston and in 2001 Mears made his first of four starts in the CART Series at the Grand Prix of Houston, finishing 17th in his debut.

Crew chief Donnie Richeson gave his thoughts on racing at Texs: "From what I'm hearing the new track surface is really smooth and fast. I expect it to be a handful just because of the speed you're carrying around the track. The biggest concern I have going to Texas are the tyres. Anytime you resurface a track, you hope the tyre compound developed matches with the race surface and the speeds of the cars."

And the equipment? "The Phillips 66 team will compete with somewhat of a new car this weekend in Texas. The team fitted a new Dodge Intrepid body onto a chassis that was used during the 2001 season. Saturday's O'Reilly 300 will mark the 2002 debut for this car."