{{Short description|American off-road racer}} __NOTOC__ {{Infobox Champ Car driver |name = Roger Mears |image = |caption = |nationality = {{flagicon|United States}} American |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1947|04|24}} |birth_place = Wichita, Kansas, U.S. |height = |weight = |achievements = 20 off-road world championships at Riverside<br>Two HDRA/SCORE championships<br>Four Baja 1000 class victories<br>Five Pikes Peak International Hill Climb class victories |awards = |years = 1978–1984 | Years = 1979–1980, 1982–1984 | Champ_Car_Team = Machinist Union Racing Team<br>American Dream Racing | Best_Champ_Pos = 9th (1982) | First_Champ_Race = 1979 California 500 (Ontario) | Last_Champ_Race = 1984 Dana Jimmy Bryan 150 (Phoenix) | First_Champ_Win = | Last_Champ_Win = | Champ_Wins = 0 | Champ_Podiums = 0 | Champ_Poles = 0 |module = {{Infobox NASCAR driver|embed=yes |Total_Truck_Races = 4 |Years_In_Truck = 1 |Best_Truck_Pos = 46th (1995) |First_Truck_Race = 1995 Skoal Bandit Copper World Classic (Phoenix) |Last_Truck_Race = 1995 Spears Manufacturing 200 (Mesa Marin) |Truck_Wins = 0 |Truck_Top_Tens = 0 |Truck_Poles = 0 |updated = May 18, 2013 }} }} '''Roger Mears''' (born April 24, 1947 in Wichita, Kansas) is an American former racing driver. Best known for his career in off-road racing, he also drove in the USAC and CART series from 1978 to 1984. He competed in 31 races, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1982 and 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/history/43772/|title=Where Are They Now?: Roger Mears|year=2012|publisher=Indianapolis Motor Speedway|accessdate=2014-08-05}}</ref> He finished in the top-ten 17 times, with three fourth-place finishes.
Following his IndyCar career, Mears returned to off-road racing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1986-05-21/sports/8601300682_1_roger-mears-stock-cars-indy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811073048/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1986-05-21/sports/8601300682_1_roger-mears-stock-cars-indy|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 11, 2014|title=Off The Beaten Track Roger Mears Is Carving His Niche In Off-road Racing|last=Winderman|first=Ira|date=May 21, 1986|work=Sun-Sentinel|accessdate=2014-08-06|location=Fort Lauderdale, FL}}</ref> Late in his career, he raced in four events during the 1995 NASCAR SuperTruck Series season,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/59170363/|title=Pickups take to racetrack|date=May 27, 1995|work=Standard-Speaker|page=44|accessdate=2014-08-06|location=Hazelton, PA}}</ref> racing for Hendrick Motorsports, including the inaugural series race at Phoenix. His best career finish, however, was a 16th at Mesa Marin.
Mears is the father of NASCAR driver Casey Mears,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-15-sp-dognascar15-story.html|title=Dads Behind Sons' Wheels|date=June 15, 2003|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2014-08-05|location=Los Angeles, CA}}</ref> and the older brother of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears.
Since his retirement from racing, Mears has been heavily involved in his son's career. He ran an Indy Lights team, with Casey as the driver, before working as a consultant with both Ganassi and Hendrick Motorsports.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oldracingcars.com/driver/Roger_Mears|title = Roger Mears}}</ref>
Mears is an atheist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDQD6JHT-q0&t=3s|title=Interview with retired IndyCar & Offroad Driver Roger Mears|website=YouTube|date=8 June 2018 }}</ref> He played himself in the 1994 film Desert Steel.{{citation needed|date=December 2025}} ==Racing record==
===American open–wheel racing results=== (key)
===Complete USAC Mini-Indy Series results=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%" ! Year ! Entrant ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! Pos ! Points |- | 1978 ! | PIR1 | TRE1 | MOS |style="background-color:#EFCFFF"| MIL1<br><small>26</small> | TEX |style="background-color:#EFCFFF"| MIL2<br><small>22</small> |style="background-color:#EFCFFF"| OMS1<br><small>15</small> | OMS2 | TRE2 | PIR2 |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| '''''51st''''' |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| '''''10''''' |}
====USAC==== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%" ! Year ! Team ! Chassis ! Engine ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! 17 ! 18 ! Rank ! Points |- | 1978 ! Beith Racing ! Eagle 72 ! Offenhauser L4t | PHX1 | ONT1 | TXS1 | TRE1 | INDY | MOS | MIL1 | POC | MIS1 | ATL | TXS2 | MIL2 |style="background:#CFEAFF;"| ONT2<br><small>6</small> | MIS2 | TRE2 | SIL | BRH |style="background:#FFFFFF;"| PHX2<br><small>DNS</small> |style="background:#CFCFFF;"|'''25th''' |style="background:#CFCFFF;"|'''400''' |}
====CART==== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%" ! Year ! Team ! Chassis ! Engine ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! Rank ! Points ! Ref |- | 1979 ! Patrick Racing ! Penske PC-6 ! Cosworth DFX V8t | PHX | ATL1 | ATL2 | INDY | TRE1 | TRE2 | MIS1 | MIS2 | WGL | TRE3 |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| ONT<br><small>13</small> | MIS3 | ATL3 | PHX2 | | |style="background:#CFCFFF;"|'''NC''' |style="background:#CFCFFF;"|'''0''' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racing-reference.info/drivdet/mearsro01/1979/R|title=Roger Mears – 1979 CART Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=October 30, 2024}}</ref> |- |rowspan=2| 1980 ! Hodgdon Racing ! McLaren M24 ! Cosworth DFX V8t |style="background:#CFEAFF;"| ONT<br><small>9</small> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |rowspan=2 style="background:#CFCFFF;"|'''24th''' |rowspan=2 style="background:#CFCFFF;"|'''272''' |rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racing-reference.info/drivdet/mearsro01/1980/R|title=Roger Mears – 1980 CART Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=October 30, 2024}}</ref> |- ! Grant King Racers ! Kingfish 73 ! Chevrolet V8 | |style="background:#FFCFCF;"| INDY<br><small>DNQ</small> | MIL | POC |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MDO<br><small>4</small> | MIS |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| WGL<br><small>16</small> |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MIL<br><small>26</small> | ONT2 | MIS2 | MEX | PHX | | | | |- |rowspan=3| 1982 !rowspan=3| Machinists Union Racing Team ! Penske PC-9B !rowspan=3| Cosworth DFX V8t |style="background:#CFEAFF;"| PHX<br><small>8</small> | |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MIL<br><small>22</small> |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CLE<br><small>21</small> | | | | | | | | | | | | |rowspan=3 style="background:#CFEAFF;"| '''9th''' |rowspan=3 style="background:#CFEAFF;"| '''103''' |rowspan=3|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racing-reference.info/drivdet/mearsro01/1982/R|title=Roger Mears – 1982 CART Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=October 30, 2024}}</ref> |- ! Penske PC-7 | |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| ATL<br><small>4</small> | | |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MIS<br><small>17</small> |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MIL2<br><small>14</small> |style="background:#CFEAFF;"| POC<br><small>9</small> |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| RIV<br><small>4</small> |style="background:#CFEAFF;"| ROA<br><small>8</small> |style="background:#CFEAFF;"| MIS2<br><small>8</small> | | | | | | |- ! Penske PC-10 | | | | | | | | | | |style="background:#CFEAFF;"| PHX2<br><small>7</small> | | | | | |- | 1983 ! Machinists Union Racing Team ! Penske PC-10 ! Cosworth DFX V8t |style="background:#CFEAFF;"| ATL<br><small>7</small> |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| INDY<br><small>28</small> |style="background:#CFEAFF;"| MIL<br><small>8</small> |style="background:#CFEAFF;"| CLE<br><small>6</small> |style="background:#FFCFCF;"| MIS<br><small>DNQ</small> |style="background:#CFEAFF;"| ROA<br><small>8</small> |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| POC<br><small>16</small> |style="background:#CFEAFF;"| RIV<br><small>9</small> |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| MDO<br><small>12</small> |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| MIS2<br><small>16</small> |style="background:#CFEAFF;"| CEA<br><small>7</small> |style="background:#CFEAFF;"| LS<br><small>6</small> |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| PHX<br><small>16</small> | | | |style="background:#CFCFFF;"|'''12th''' |style="background:#CFCFFF;"|'''43''' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racing-reference.info/drivdet/mearsro01/1983/R|title=Roger Mears – 1983 CART Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=October 30, 2024}}</ref> |- |rowspan=2| 1984 ! Caliva Racing ! March 84C !rowspan=2| Cosworth DFX V8t |style="background:#FFCFCF;"| LBH<br><small>DNQ</small> |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| PHX<br><small>26</small> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |rowspan=2 style="background:#CFCFFF;"|'''NC''' |rowspan=2 style="background:#CFCFFF;"|'''0''' |rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racing-reference.info/drivdet/mearsro01/1984/R|title=Roger Mears – 1984 CART Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=October 30, 2024}}</ref> |- ! Machinists Union Racing Team ! Penske PC-10 | | |style="background:#FFCFCF;"| INDY<br><small>DNQ</small> | MIL | POR | MEA | CLE | MIS | ROA | POC | MDO | SAN | MIS2 | PHX2 | LS | CEA |}
====Indianapolis 500==== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |- ! Year ! Chassis ! Engine ! Start ! Finish ! Team |- | 1980 | Kingfish 73 | Chevrolet V8 |colspan=2 align=center style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DNQ | Grant King Racers |- | 1981 | Penske PC-7 | Cosworth DFX V8t |colspan=2 align=center style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DNQ | Agajanian |- | 1982 | Penske PC-9B | Cosworth DFX V8t |align=center| 19 |align=center style="background:#EFCFFF;"| 32 | Machinists Union Racing Team |- | 1983 | Penske PC-10 | Cosworth DFX V8t |align=center| 8 |align=center style="background:#EFCFFF;"| 28 | Machinists Union Racing Team |- | 1984 | Penske PC-10 | Cosworth DFX V8t |colspan=2 align=center style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DNQ | Machinists Union Racing Team |}
===NASCAR=== (key) (<span style="font-size:85%">'''Bold''' – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. ''Italics'' – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.</span>)
====SuperTruck Series==== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%" |- !colspan=45| NASCAR SuperTruck Series results |- ! Year ! Team ! No. ! Make ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! 17 ! 18 ! 19 ! 20 ! {{Tooltip|NCTC|NASCAR Craftsman Truck classification}} ! Pts ! Ref |- ! rowspan=2| 1995 ! rowspan=2| Hendrick Motorsports ! 25 ! rowspan=2| Chevy | style="background:#CFCFFF;"| PHO<br><small>21</small> | TUS | SGS | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MMR<br><small>16</small> | POR | EVG | I70 | LVL | BRI | MLW | CNS | HPT | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| IRP<br><small>24</small> | FLM | RCH | MAR | NWS | SON | colspan=2| ! rowspan=2| 46th ! rowspan=2| 382 ! rowspan=2| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://racing-reference.info/drivdet/mearsro01/1995/C|title=Roger Mears – 1995 NASCAR SuperTruck Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=October 30, 2024}}</ref> |- ! 5 | colspan=18| | style="background:#CFCFFF;"| MMR<br><small>29</small> | PHO |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Racing-Reference driver|Roger_Mears}} {{Patrick Racing}} {{Machinists Union Racing}} {{Pikes Peak International Hill Climb winners}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Mears, Roger}} Category:Living people Category:1947 births Category:American atheists Category:Sportspeople from Wichita, Kansas Category:Racing drivers from Kansas Category:Indianapolis 500 drivers Category:Champ Car drivers Category:Off-road racing drivers Category:NASCAR drivers Category:Hendrick Motorsports drivers Category:24 Hours of Daytona drivers