Mears goes IRL route with Galles
Casey Mears, who stunned the CART establishment when he led his debut Champ Car race at Fontana's season-closer last year, will switch to the rival Indy Racing League for 2001
Mears, the nephew of Champ Car legend Rick, will drive in at least four races for Rick Galles Racing, alongside Al Unser Jr and the team's other new signing, former Indy Lights frontrunner Didier Andre.
Mears current programme ends with the Indy 500, but the 22-year-old says he is confident of finding sponsorship to complete the season.
"I am very excited and happy to be with Galles Racing," he said. "It's a great opportunity to be with a race team that has so much depth and has been in Indycar racing for so long."
After finishing fourth in his Fontana debut, Mears had been expected to graduate full-time to the CART FedEx Series, but turned down a potential drive with the new Brooke-Arciero team in favour of the IRL deal.
Mears should run in his car for the first time at the IRL's official pre-season test at Phoenix on February 9/10.
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