Casey Mears has known Earnhardt Jr. pretty much since the time when he moved to North Carolina six years ago, but competing for the same team will enhance that relationship. Earnhardt Jr. announced on Wednesday that he’ll drive for Hendrick beginning next season.

“We hung out quite a bit at his place quite a few times and had a good time, just around the lake and having fun outside the track,” Mears said Friday morning at Michigan International Speedway, site of this weekend’s Citizens Bank 400. “We’re not the closest of friends since he’s got best friends and stuff, but I think over the course of the last few years I’ve gotten to know him pretty well, and I think that the background he grew up in and being around the sport, he obviously knows and understands a lot about it.

“He’s given me some good advice early on when I was a rookie and struggling. He’s just a good guy, good friend. I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Scene Daily

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