Bakersfield's No. 2 Sprint Cup driver appears on his way out of Richard Childress Racing.

Casey Mears, a Stockdale High graduate and nephew of IndyCar legend Rick Mears, signed a one-year contract with RCR, with a an option for a second in 2008, but without a sponsor RCR will likely have to trim a car from its four-car stable, according to ESPN's David Newton.

His one-year stint with Bakersfield's Kevin Harvick, dubbed this season by The Californian as The Boys of Bakersfield could be canceled after just one season. 

Funding has been suppressed by General Motors' misfortunes, and with the loss of longtime sponsor Jack Daniel's, Mears is likely the odd-man out, despite being 19th in the points standings and having nine Top-15 finishes, including a sixth-place finish at Michigan in August.

Actually I think the most telling quote in this story is Childress' second one. Considering Childress won't rule out replacing Mears because a sponsor doesn't believe Mears' is an ideal candidate.

"It all depends on sponsorship," Childress said. "Casey has done a good job. It's just unfortunate circumstances around Jack Daniel's to have to leave the sport."