It is with mixed emotions that Mears will perform the sponsorship and ownership hat dance. He is looking for the golden opportunity to drive a well-sponsored race car for a high-caliber team.

“It’s disappointing,” said Mears, “I’d love to be there (HMS), obviously Hendrick Motorsports is a great organization.” But, he also recognizes that the decision Rick Hendrick made was not personal.

“I understand more than ever, that its business and you can separate that,” he continued.” At the end of the day, Rick is trying to run the best possible business he can and do the best things he can for his company.”

For Mears, his short tenure with the team has had its ups and downs. The most positive experience was his first career win in the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 2007. And, regardless of his departure that is one event that will not ever change.

And while some will point out his multiple DNFs as the cause of his split with HMS, Mears attributes it to luck as well. “We’re definitely had a rough year for several reasons,” Mears began,. “But everybody has worked so hard.”

And work, they will continue to do. “I’m committed to finishing out the remainder of the season with Hendrick Motorsports.” Mears made known, “I don’t know exactly what the future holds. But right now, my plan is to finish the rest of the year.”

Meanwhile, Mears will also look into opportunities available with other teams. He has no intention of leaving NASCAR and returning to his open-wheel past. “This is the best series in the world right now,” Mears remarked. “If you want to be a race car driver, and prove that you can be the best, you need to be over here and that’s where I want to be.”

But, remaining with HMS and researching options puts the driver and team in a very precarious situation. There is concern that HMS will isolate Mears to protect industry secrets, leaving his current team to fend for themselves. Mears would not be surprised if the tables turned in that direction. “A team has got to protect what they’re doing well,” Mears added. “In those meetings things are shared that they may not want me to see for next season.”

For the remainder of the year, Mears is hopeful that he will be included and have the opportunity to sit in on those meetings. Mears jumped from the No. 25 team to the No. 5 team after Kyle Busch left HMS under strained circumstances. And while he would love to have Busch’s success, Mears won’t be looking to the outcast for advice anytime soon.

“I think we’ve got more experience than Kyle in changing teams,” he added. “Transitions are never fun. But at the same time, now that its out in the open (departure news), everybody can take a deep breath and just focus on the remainder of the season.”

Talk of an opportunity with RCR’s fourth team is still a rumor. Mears has admitted to talking with teams, but he has not identified which teams. Should the opportunity arise, it would be welcomed for sure. Other drivers are also banking on changing teams and some are steadily preying on Mears vacant seat.

In the interim, Mears is prepared to light a spark on the second half of the season. What better place to try, than Daytona International Speedway where the season originally began. Just one year ago, in this event, Mears finished second in the Independence Day Ritual. Now, as he celebrates a rite of passage with mixed emotions, he can also state his independence.