 As an IMSA and CART driver, Mead started out in Formula Atlantic Championship in 1974, raced in F3 in England for a year with Doug Shierson, and made six starts in the CART Series between 1980 and 1983 – his best finish was a 9th at Phoenix in 1981 – but was best known as a sports car driver.Through the late-1970s and 1980s he drove a wide variety of sports cars in IMSA and CanAm, from Porsche 911s to 934s and from the Fabcar Porsche to a Lola T711 Chevrolet.1987 was 
his best year driving the Porsche Fabcar, often referred to as the Baby 962.