Lead Lap's NASCAR News » Germain Racing

GEICO To Sponsor No. 13 For Full Cup Season In 2013, 2014

Michael J Smith — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:47:45 +0000

GEICO announced that it will sponsor the No. 13 Germain Racing Ford and driver Casey Mears for the full Sprint Cup Series season in both 2013 and 2014.

Berrier Headed To Toyota, Michael Waltrip Racing?

Michael J Smith — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:44:25 +0000

MikeMulhern.Net is reporting that former crew chief for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 31 Sprint Cup team Todd Berrier may be headed to a Toyota team, most likely Michael Waltrip Racing, or an MWR-affiliated team, which includes JTG Daugherty Racing and Pastrana Waltrip Racing.

MWR also has a technial alliance with Germain Racing, but there has been no word on whether that may be a potential destination for Berrier.

At this point, this is a rumor as nothing has been confirmed.

Germain Racing, Cassill Will Run Entire Cup Season

Michael J Smith — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:05:49 +0000

Germain Racing will field the No. 60 Sprint Cup entry for Landon Cassill for the entire 2011 season, with sponsorship from Big Red and ALL SPORT. Cassill will drive the car in this weekend’s Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

Mears To Attempt At Least 20 Races For Germain Racing In 2011

Michael J Smith — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:04:12 +0000

Casey Mears will attempt at least 20 races for Germain Racing in the No. 13 Toyota Camry in the 2011 Sprint Cup season. At least that is the team’s plan. Germain will definitely run the first six Cup races, and then make a decision based on its points position. The team hopes to run the entire season.

At the end of last season, Germain said Mears would run the entire season. At that time, the team was said to have GEICO on board to sponsor 18 races.

Bodine To Attempt All Three NASCAR Races At Daytona

Michael J Smith — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:18:46 +0000

Todd Bodine will compete in all three NASCAR races at Daytona International Speedway next month, according to NASCAR.com. Bodine will drive his championship truck, Germain Racing’s No. 30, in the Nextera Energy Resources 250, and he will drive the team’s No. 15 Nationwide Series entry in the DRIVE4COPD 300.

He will attempt to make the Daytona 500 in Gunselman Motorsports’ No. 64 Toyota. Gunselman, which has a technical alliance with Germain, will need to get their car in the race on speed or time, as they are not locked in as a result of finishing the season 46th in owner’s points.

Mears To Run Full 2011 Sprint Cup Season

NASCAR Wire Service — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 04:14:56 +0000

Casey Mears said that he will run the entire 2011 Sprint Cup Series season in Germain Racing’s No. 13 Toyota. GEICO is set to sponsor the car for 18 races in 2011, and the team is currently seeking addition sponsorship for the remaining races.

According to FoxSports.com, Mears said:

We’re going to run all the races. Honestly, I’ve been impressed with (crew chief Robert “Bootie” Barker) and the guys. They build fast race cars.

Mears To Replace Papis In Germain Racing’s No. 13 Toyota

Michael J Smith — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:28:12 +0000

Casey Mears will replace Max Papis in Germain Racing’s No. 13 Sprint Cup Toyota starting at Atlanta Motor Speedway later this month. He will drive for the team in 2011, as well. Germain has a half of the season sponsored by GEICO. The team is still looking for sponsorship for 18 races next season.

The car will start and park in the two events before Atlanta, with yet-to-be-named drivers.

Papis will drive for Germain in the Camping World Truck Series next season in a GEICO-sponsored Toyota.

Update: Jayski is reporting that Papis will remain in the No. 13 car for this weekend’s Carfax 400 at Michigan International Speedway and for next weekend’s Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Four Teams Penalized For Texas Infractions

Michael J Smith — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 01:44:48 +0000

NASCAR has issued penalties to four Sprint Cup teams for infractions at Texas Motor Speedway. Michael Waltrip Racing’s Nos. 00 and 56 driven by David Reutimann and Martin Truex Jr respectively, JTG Daugherty Racing’s No. 47 driven by Marcos Ambrose and Germain Racing’s No. 13 driven by Max Papis.

The crew chiefs from the No. 13 (“Bootie” Barker) and No. 47 (Frank Kerr) have been fined $75,000 and placed on probation for the rest of the year for violating Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 20-2.3A (unapproved added weight); 20-7 (all engine cooling system components must be approved by NASCAR prior to being used in competition); and 20-7.3A (radiator mount; failure to submit components) of the Sprint Cup Series rule book.

Robert Germain, owner of the No. 13, and Tad Geschickter, owner of the No. 47, have each been penalized 50 champion owner’s points. And, drivers Papis and Ambrose have each been penalized 50 championship driver points.

Meanwhile, the crew chiefs of the No. 00 (Rodney Childers) and No. 56 (Pat Tryson) have each been fined $25,000 and placed on probation through the end of the year for violating Sections 12-1; 20-7; and 20-7.3A.

The violations occurred in post-qualifying inspection before the Texas race.

NASCAR confiscated the lower radiator pans on the Nos. 13 and 47 because they were found that the pans were considered unapproved ballast weight mounting, which is a violation of Rule 20-2.3, added car weight. The steel piece taken from Papis’ car weighed 45.2 lbs, while Ambrose’s piece weighed 25.7 lbs.

Cal Wells, of Michael Waltrip Racing, said in a statement:

NASCAR indicated we were running a part, a radiator pan, which had not been officially submitted for approval. We accept NASCAR’s ruling and will not appeal because we cannot debate whether the part was submitted, only whether or not the part needed submission.

Geschickter said:

While the penalty feels excessive for an apparent misunderstanding on submitting a part, we also understand NASCAR has to police the sport and rule strictly to keep a level playing field among the teams. We will work diligently to ensure that there are no misunderstandings in the future.

The penalties drops Ambrose from 26th to 28th in driver’s points while Papis falls from 37th to 38th.

Sospenzo Joins Germain Racing

Michael J Smith — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:09:12 +0000

Germain Racing has hired Peter Sospenzo to serve as crew cheif for its No. 13 Geico Toyota and driver Max Papis. General Manager Mike Hillman Sr. will work with the No. 15 Pilot Travel Centers/HYPE Energy Drink Toyota in the Nationwide series with driver Michael Annett.

Papis To Run PT Sprint Cup Schedule In 2009

Michael J Smith — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:11:03 +0000

Former open-wheeler and NASCAR road course ringer Max Papis will run 18 races next season in a Germain Racing fielded Toyota sponsored by GEICO, Papis’ agent confirmed.

GEICO has sponsored Mike Wallace in the Nationwide series, but with Nationwide, a GEICO competitor, taking over, GEICO had to leave that series.