A couple of weeks ago, NASCAR fans were thrilled to hear that Casey Mears was making a return to the Cup Series. Mears, a veteran of 489 NASCAR Cup Series races and winner of the 2007 Coca-Cola 600, announced that he would pilot No. 66 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Garage 66 at Martinsville, as he looks to chase the 500 Cup races club. However, the fans’ enthusiasm was a little dampened when they noticed the sponsors for Mears’s return to the track and given the MBM’s troubled history they might have been rightfully concerned.

“I’m excited to have HitchGO, Mosby’s Towing and Transport, and Coble Enterprises on board as we chip away at 500 NASCAR Cup Series starts,” Mears said in his announcement. Fans were alarmed when they discovered that HitchGo was a small-time, relatively unknown RV-repairing company. Some fans raised concerns over their authenticity, fearing a repeat of the DC Solar-Chip Ganassi Racing scandal. “Unfortunately, motorsports has a long history of shady sponsorship deals, which makes fans suspicious when a obscure company starts sponsorsing teams and drivers out of the blue,” noted one fan. However, others dismissed such fears, pointing out that skeptics were “suffering ptsd from dc solar.” Well, as it turns out, the fans’ worries were not entirely misplaced.

MBM Motorsports shared a post on X, which was an update on Mears’ primary sponsors for the race at Martinsville this Sunday. “UPDATE: Garage 66 and @CJMearsGang will carry @CanterPower Systems and Coble Enterprises as co-primary sponsors for the #NASCAR Cup Series #CookOut400 at Martinsville. @Acrisure and Mosby’s Towing & Transport remain onboard,” the tweet read.

However, HitchGO was notably missing from the announcement, and a fan took notice of it. They bluntly asked MBM Motorsports, “Is it okay to know what happened to HitchGO?” MBM’s response was brief yet telling: “Did not fulfill their obligations.” The exact details remain unclear, but sponsor exits are never a good sign for a smaller team like MBM. Whether it was a financial dispute or a contractual issue, this news surely doesn’t help fans’ earlier skepticism about HitchGO as a sponsor.

The fear of NASCAR fans over shady sponsorship stems from the infamous DC Solar scandal in 2018. Led by owners Jeff and Paulette Carpoff, the company that built and leased solar energy equipment, sponsored Chip Ganassi Racing in the Cup and Xfinity Series. In fact, it was the primary or co-primary sponsor for Kyle Larson in 16 Cup races.

However, in 2018, DC Solar was revealed to be a part of a billion-dollar Ponzi scheme. As a result, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2019, and Chip Ganassi closed its Xfinity program. Hence, the news of HitchGo dropping out at the last minute was not ideal for Garage 66, especially given their rollercoaster history in NASCAR.

MBM Motorsports has faced several challenges throughout its history. One significant incident involved co-owner and driver Derek White, who was arrested in 2016 on charges related to a massive tobacco smuggling operation. White, the first Native American driver in the Sprint Cup Series, faced seven charges, including conspiracy to commit fraud against the government and profiteering as a criminal organization. Doesn’t feel fresh enough? Well, another instance might be recallable.

Top Comment by Lonemisfit

Give him, (Mears), his shot at racing again. He’s done nothing wrong and he’s an obvious talent that can absolutely...more

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Debate

In early 2025, MBM Motorsports encountered another controversy involving veteran driver Mike Wallace. At 65, Wallace aimed to qualify for the Daytona 500 with the team but was denied approval by NASCAR due to his prolonged absence from the Cup Series and lack of experience with the Next Gen car. This decision left Wallace in “shock” and “devastation,” as he had secured sponsorships and believed he had NASCAR’s support.

The team’s rebranding to Garage 66, too, was met with mixed reactions. Some fans viewed it as a desperate move following the Mike Wallace controversy. Others questioned the effectiveness of a name change without addressing underlying performance issues. Despite these controversies, the team continues to strive for success in the highly competitive world of stock car racing. The team has spent years defying the odds, taking on NASCAR’s elite with limited resources, thanks to founder Carl Long.

While HitchGO’s last-second departure doesn’t paint a good picture, they still find themselves in the spotlight with Casey Mears’ big return.

Mears looking forward to Martinsville with MBM

Mears’ return to the track with Garage 66 was a surprise. He last raced in the Cup Series in 2019 with Germain, driving the No. 27 Chevrolet at Daytona. In 2023, a return with Legacy Motor Club was speculated, but nothing came of it.

Now, following a near six-year absence, he is set for a return with MBM. “I’m happy to be back in a race car and look forward to returning to Martinsville, one of my favorite tracks,” he noted. The last time that Mears raced at Martinsville was in 2016, as he registered a P26 finish; a similar outcome on his return would go down well for him and MBM, especially after the HitchGo drama.