As Rick moved to full-time Indy car racing, Roger Mears continued to build his off-road racing legacy. Over his career, Roger captured 20 off road world championships at Riverside, California; five Pikes Peak Hill Climb titles; four Baja 1000s; two HDRA/SCORE Desert Championships; and 13 Grand National Sport Truck victories as part of the Mickey Thompson Stadium Championship. In addition to his off-road experience, Roger competed in 28 Indy car races, including two Indianapolis 500s (1982 and 1983). The Mears brothers are among only 18 sets of brothers to compete in the "500."

Debuting at the 1979 Mint 400, a desert off-road race based in Las Vegas, Roger Mears teamed up with owner and driver Mike Moore in the Budweiser Jeep Honcho. The Jeep Honcho was built by Walker Evans Racing out of Riverside, California, and participated in the SCORE Class 3 division. The purpose-built truck is based on a Jeep J-10 chassis with racing upgrades and was featured in national advertising campaigns for its well-known sponsors. Roger drove the Honcho from 1979 to 1982, claiming more than a dozen wins, including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, Mint 400, and four titles at the Riverside Off Road World Championship.