The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season is well underway, bringing with it thrilling finishes, tight rivalries- and renewed controversy. Former Cup Series driver Casey Mears has added fuel to a long-simmering debate, accusing NASCAR of manipulating race outcomes for entertainment.
Mears, who raced in the Cup Series from 2003 to 2016, recently joined Dale Earnhardt Jr. for a candid conversation following his return to competition at Martinsville, where he finished 35th. The reunion quickly turned serious when Mears claimed NASCAR robbed him of multiple wins during his career, particularly in the 2005 season.
Mears Alleges Manipulated Finishes
Mears and Earnhardt Jr. revisited a specific race from 2005, a year Mears feels could have altered the course of his career. “You feel like there was a late yellow in that race that you were gonna win?” Earnhardt Jr. asked. Mears responded without hesitation: “100%.” When pressed on whether it was necessary, Mears doubled down: “100%.”
According to Mears, those late-race cautions weren’t just poor judgment- they were deliberate. “I know NASCAR was throwing those cautions to make it more exciting. That’s a fact,” he stated. The implication is clear: Mears believes the organization manipulated race outcomes, possibly prioritizing drama over fairness.
.@cjmearsgang remembers a handful of races where a late-race "debris" caution cost him the win. ⚠️😳
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While Mears enjoyed a solid decade-plus career, his comments highlight lingering frustration and what might have been. He isn’t the first to raise such concerns. Over the years, NASCAR has faced sporadic accusations of “rigging,” often centered around conveniently timed cautions. Critics argue that the line between enhancing the show and altering outcomes is dangerously thin.
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NASCAR has yet to respond directly to Mears’ remarks. Still, the debate continues, especially as the 2025 season unfolds with dominant performances from Christopher Bell, a Martinsville win by Denny Hamlin, and strong runs from Bubba Wallace.
For now, fans are left to weigh the words of a veteran driver against the chaotic, unpredictable nature of racing- a sport where timing, luck, and a well-timed yellow can change everything.
Also Read: NASCAR Driver Toni Breidinger Has Fans Going Crazy At Martinsville Speedway
