Casey Mears: Come on Back to Indy

Within the last decade, we have arguably seen some of the greatest crossovers into NASCAR in the history of the sport.  Recently, it as become a hotter topic with many fans desire to see DP cross over from open wheel to race with "the boys."

If you're a fan of open wheel and NASCAR, you may or may not have asked yourself the "what ifs" of a driver from Cup coming over to run in the IRL.  I know I have.  In fact, growing up in the same town in the 80s, I followed Casey Mears and the Mears gang in particular.  I was very excited to see Casey work his way into CART through the Indy Lights series, and get a chance to race with Team Rahal back in 2000 at California Speedway, where he ran fifth.

So why not a foray back into his roots? 

His Cup career has been marginal at best.  His most recent successes coming with Hendrick winning the Coca Cola 600 in 2007; his 2008 and 2009 seasons have been sub-par.  Through 15 races this yea,r he has only two top 10s racing for Richard Childress Racing. 

He's a fairly popular guy, marketable, and good in front of the camera.  He's given the series a great shot over the course of eight years, but why not make a run at Indy?  Why not be a part of rebuilding a racing venue that his legendary uncle and father help build?  

I, for one, would pay to see a Mears running against a Rahal and Andretti again.  It would be an even greater triumph to see him get a chance to run for Roger Penske under Uncle Rick's tutelage. 

In years past, it was not uncommon to see drivers run races in other series, and I think it would be incredibly exciting to see how truly great a driver is.  How would Jeff Gordon do at Indy?  Jimmie Johnson? Heck, you KNOW Tony Stewart would love another shot.

Come on, Casey. What have you got to lose?