Mears and Geico off to fast start 2013: Time flies, but the #13 Germain Racing team maximized each moment that's passed since departing Homestead in November. Casey Mears and his GEICO team took few days off in the off-season and instead committed themselves to being prepared for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. No sooner than the team arrived home from last season's finale, they found themselves working feverishly to build new racecars, as the 2013 season will see a new bodystyle enter NASCAR. The new #13 GEICO Ford Fusion will look more similar to the Ford Fusion found at local dealerships, bringing about excitement with fans and teams alike. A single car team with just 30 employees, Germain Racing's hard work and diligence paid dividends. When the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series took to Charlotte Motor Speedway for a preliminary test in December, Mears and his GEICO team were one of the only organizations to arrive at the track with a fully built, steel-bodied racecar. In January, the team was expected to be challenged by back-to-back tests at Daytona and Charlotte, but the speed charts indicated otherwise. Daytona's 2.5-mile superspeedway saw Mears and his #13 GEICO Ford Fusion in the top ten before Charlotte's 1.5-mile quad-oval found them third when the off-season's final test concluded.
Most notably, Germain Racing is quickly becoming a destination point for NASCAR talent. Even the Sprint Cup Series' top teams experience employee turnover in the off-season, but Germain was immune to it. Instead, they added team members, including a shop foreman and mechanic. They also retained their pit crew and have a pit crew coach and consultant on staff. Both GEICO and Mears are signed on through the end of 2014, providing a level of stability that will allow Germain to experience continued growth.
Mears was pleased with the progress made in the off-season, as well as at the 2013 tests. "We have a great team and the guys have passion about what they do in the shop each day and their hard work has paid off," Mears said. "It was fun to go to the front at the Daytona test, and encouraging to make changes, work hard and keep digging to end up third at the Charlotte test. We're happy to continue with Ford and have the Roush Yates horsepower again this season." He continued, "I can't thank GEICO and Bob Germain (team owner) enough for the support and commitment they have given our program. Our program shows that you don't have to be the biggest team; you just have to work harder than everyone else. Our team has strength of character and remains focused on the process, which are two of the biggest reasons for our success." (Germain Racing)(1-28-2013)

2013 silly season notes for #13-Casey Mears / Germain Racing: No changes as Casey Mears is supposedly signed thru 2014 and sponsor GEICO is signed thru 2014, which will be the primary for about 20 races. GEICO stays on the car for races it is not the primary unless another sponsor can be found. Mears tends to start and park or not run the full unsponsored races. Robert "Bootie" Barker returns as the crew chief and the team will run Fords with Roush Yates engines. See more about other teams on my 2013 Team / Driver Silly Season Chart.(1-4-2013)

GEICO picks up sponsorship of Mears at Kansas and Homestead: There were just two races left on the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule that sat unsponsored for Germain Racing and driver Casey Mears. Earlier today, team owner Bob Germain and GEICO executives worked together to complete a deal that will have the Gecko as the primary sponsor of Mears' #13 Ford Fusion for both Kansas and Homestead, which were the two lone unsponsored races. The Germain Racing crew quickly found themselves scattering when the team owner ordered them to the Kansas test that begins tomorrow and continues through Thursday. The two-day test will allow them to experience the new surface and better prepare for Sunday's race.(Player Management International)(10-16-2012)

GEICO renews with Germain through 2014: It has been two years since Casey Mears took the wheel of the #13 GEICO/Germain Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry and rescued an otherwise struggling upstart team. Mears' vast experience coupled with team owner Bob Germain's unwavering commitment culminated in an effort that has made unprecedented progress and now, just 24-months later, finds itself running door-to-door with the elite teams in the nation's top auto racing series. GEICO, in the midst of their fifth year with the team, is as much a partner as a sponsor and has played an intricate role in the team's development and is updated weekly on the goings on in the Germain Racing shop. This week, GEICO announced they have officially extended their sponsorship of Germain Racing and driver Casey Mears through the end of the 2014 season, leaving the Gecko to co-pilot the #13 GEICO Ford Fusion for the next two seasons.(Player Management International)(9-13-2012)

NextGen returns for Mears at Kentucky: For the second time this season, Casey Mears will wheel the #13 Valvoline NextGen Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Germain Racing. This time, Mears will put the NextGen colors before Valvoline's hometown crowd at Kentucky Speedway— a short drive from Valvoline's global headquarters in Lexington, KY.(Germain Racing), see an image of the car on the #13 Team Schemes page.(6-26-2012)

New sponsor for #13 Ford at MIS UPDATE2: Casey Mears will run the #13 Valvoline NextGen Ford in the Quicken Loans 400 at at Michigan International Speedway this weekend. The scheme is also scheduled to run at Kentucky on June 20th (Germain Racing Twitter), see an image of the car on the #13 Team Schemes page.(6-13-2012)
UPDATE: Valvoline has signed on to sponsor Germain Racing and driver Casey Mears in two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events. Valvoline will be on board the #13 Ford this weekend when Germain Racing travels to Michigan Int'l Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., for the Quicken Loans 400. Valvoline will also sponsor the team at Kentucky Speedway June 30. "We had a great weekend (at Pocono) and it's also exciting to learn that Valvoline will be on our car for Michigan and Kentucky," said Mears. "We've made a lot of progress this year and things continue to head in the right direction." The team is still searching for sponsorship in a handful of events. GEICO, the primary sponsor of the team, only signed on for about 22 events this year.(National Speed Sport News)(6-13-2012)
UPDATE2: Germain Racing is proud to race a Valvoline-sponsored entry for the first time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this weekend at Michigan International Speedway. Previously, the team sported the Valvoline colors in NASCAR's other two premier divisions. Sunday, veteran driver Casey Mears will wheel the No. 13 Valvoline NextGen Ford Fusion around the freshly repaved 2.0-mile oval. "The Germain family has had a long-standing relationship with Ashland and the Valvoline products in our automobile dealerships. Valvoline has been a long-time supporter of Germain Racing," explained team owner Bob Germain Jr. "So it's very exciting for us to run the Valvoline NextGen Ford Fusion to help promote the NextGen recycled oil products to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series fans." In addition to Michigan, Germain Racing will carry the Valvoline NextGen paint scheme at Ashland's hometown race track, Kentucky Speedway.(Germain Racing)(6-15-2012)

#13 adds sponsorship for Daytona 500: Just three days removed from recording a top five qualifying effort, #13-Casey Mears and Germain Racing announced a new sponsor, B'laster Corp., one of the world's leading retail automotive manufacturing companies. B'laster Corp. will join the team as an associate sponsor for the 2012 Daytona 500 on the #13 GEICO Ford Fusion. For over 50 years, B'laster has manufactured penetrants, lubricants, rust inhibitors and a full line of specialty, highly concentrated formulas for the automotive, industrial and hardware industries.(Germain Racing)(2-23-2012)

Germain Racing switches manufacturers: Germain Racing, owned by Bob Germain Jr., announced they will join the Ford Racing family for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The team's move to Ford means their #13 GEICO entry will become the #13 GEICO Ford Fusion. Germain explains that the move is well in line with long-term Germain family relationships. "The Germain's have a long history with Ford Motor Company. My grandfather worked with Henry Ford as an accountant and my father worked as a guide in the Henry Ford Museum. Our family currently owns and operates both Ford and Lincoln dealerships and we have many friends at Ford Motor Company. I'm excited to join the Ford Racing team," said Germain. "Germain Racing is focused on getting strong results for our GEICO Fusion program. Heading into NASCAR's first season of electronic fuel injection, we are extremely confident in the technology and engines from Roush & Yates Racing Engines that we will race this season," said Germain, whose team has services agreements with Roush & Yates Racing Engines and Roush Fenway Racing for the coming year. Germain Racing will again feature the talent of driver Casey Mears behind the wheel of the #13 GEICO Fusion entry. Mears joined Germain in 2010.
In November, GEICO agreed to a sponsorship extension that will see the Gecko adorning the hood of the #13 Germain Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry through at least the 2014 season. GEICO coupled the extension with an increase in involvement, ramping up the number of primary races at which they will serve as the primary sponsor. Thinking along the lines of continuity, team owner Bob Germain subsequently extended Mears' contract, while also retaining crew chief Bootie Barker, who will continue to call the shots for Mears and the GEICO team. When the #13 GEICO Ford Fusion rolls off of the truck for Daytona 500 practice in February, NASCAR fans will be met with a new, exciting paint scheme that will serve as a re-launching of sorts of the GEICO NASCAR Sprint Cup Series program. For most of the previous eleven years, GEICO racecars have featured some variation of the color red, but beginning in 2012, Mears will pilot a car that features the lively color combination of blue and white with green accents.(Germain Racing)(1-6-2012)

Germain to switch manufacturers UPDATE: Germain Racing [#13 GEICO Toyota & #60 Big Red Toyota] majority owner Bob Germain told Sirius XM NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team may not return to the Toyota camp in 2012. "There is a possibility that we might not be a Toyota team next year," said Germain. "I never thought we'd be running anything but a Toyota, but I'm not sure we're going to be able to get on the TRD (Toyota Racing Development) engine program. We wanted to buy TRD motors for next year's Sprint Cup effort, but with Joe Gibbs Racing getting out of the engine business at the end of this year, I'm not sure we're going to be able to get our engines from TRD." Germain explained that TRD will have the capacity to build six sets of Sprint Cup Series engines next season. JGR's trio of Camrys driven by Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano accounts for three sets and Michael Waltrip Racing's Martin Truex, Jr. and David Reutimann account for two more. That leaves one engine set to be allotted, without accounting for MWR's expected third 2012 entry driven by Clint Bowyer, or JTG Daugherty Racing and driver Bobby Labonte. "Toyota has told us they will try to work something out," said Germain, "but it's not certain. There is a possibility that we may have to look elsewhere. We had already promised GEICO that we would go with TRD engines next year (after running Triad power in the past), and they were really excited about that. I never thought there would be a problem doing it, but now apparently, there is." Germain said he has already spoken to other manufacturers about possible 2012 alliances. "We went out and looked around little bit," he said. "We talked to Ford Racing and we talked to Rick Hendrick a while back, just to see what's out there and how their programs work. My hope is still to stay with Toyota, but we may not be able to do so."(Sirius Speedway)(10-1-2011)
UPDATE: Germain Racing owner Bob Germain tols SiriusXM NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that GEICO has signed a multi-year contract to continue as sponsor of the team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and that the team will make a manufacturer change in 2012. Germain Racing currently fields Toyotas on both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series, but Germain would not confirm which manufacturer they will ally with in 2012.(11-19-2011)

New colors and sponsor for Mears at Homestead UPDATE: Hard Rock Vodka will be the sponsor of Casey Mears and the #13 of Germain Racing team in the season ending Ford 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.(11-14-2011)
UPDATE: Germain Racing is closing out the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season by premiering a fresh sponsorship relationship. Driver Casey Mears will pilot the #13 Hard Rock Vodka Camry at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the season finale on Sunday, November 20th. This will be the first time the #13 Camry has raced in colors other than those of long-time primary sponsor GEICO. "Obviously it's very exciting to have a sponsor like Hard Rock Vodka come on board our #13 Camry for the Homestead-Miami Speedway race. GEICO remains our primary sponsor for 2012 but we'd certainly like to see the Hard Rock Vodka Camry race again for a number of the open weekends on next season's schedule," explained Mears, who has competed in eight Sprint Cup Series events at Homestead. "This team has built a lot of momentum in the last few weeks and we hope to carry that into Homestead for a great weekend with the Hard Rock Vodka Camry."
Hard Rock Vodka, launched this summer by Ultimate Beverages of Boca Raton, FL, is a new sponsor in the NASCAR ranks. O.B. Osceola, co-founder, explains that the NASCAR fan base really is the perfect audience for Hard Rock Vodka. "Hard Rock Vodka has been enjoying a great launch this year. In setting up the product at retail partners such as ABC, Crown, Discount Liquors and several others, what we've come to realize is that Hard Rock Vodka is a perfect fit for marketing to the NASCAR fan base. The product is based out of Florida, so putting Hard Rock Vodka on Germain Racing's #13 Camry at Homestead-Miami Speedway was a great opportunity to showcase the brand this season," explained Osceola, who also encourages fans to enjoy Hard Rock Vodka responsibly.(Germain Racing), see an image of the scheme on the #13 Team Schemes page.(11-16-2011)

Mears to be featured on HGTV Celebrity Coaches: HGTV's show Celebrity Coaches is traveling around the country, looking for the best motorhomes around. On Saturday, November 5 they'll come to Texas Motor Speedway to meet Casey Mears and tour his personal trailer. The camera crew will also tour the #13 team hauler to see how Casey lives, and works, while at the track.(NASCAR)(11-2-2011)

Germain teams up with Native American Businessman: Sirius XM NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that Germain Racing majority owner Bob German will form a new NASCAR National Series team in conjunction with Naples, Fla., resident O.B. Osceola, Jr. The team, to be called Germain-Osceola Racing, hopes to field an entry in 2012 on the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide or Camping World Truck Series in 2012 for a still unnamed driver, with backing projected to come from from a number of Native American tribes. Osceola is President of Pro Investment Group International and CEO of Pro Games, LLC, and has been instrumental in constructing and managing a number of large-scale projects for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, including fundraising and construction for Florida's Immokalee Casino, and overseeing the tribe's ownership of the worldwide Hard Rock and Hollywood Hotel/Casino franchises. Germain said the new team operate as a subsidiary of Germain Racing, with sponsorship flowing – at least for now -- into the existing race team, which fields Sprint Cup Toyota Camrys for #13-Casey Mears, #60-Mike Skinner and #50-TJ Bell, and Camping World Truck Series Tundras for former series champion Todd Bodine, Brendan Gaughan and Max Papis. He said Germain-Osceola Racing will make its NASCAR debut later this season, fielding a Hard Rock Vodka-sponsored Nationwide Series entry in the 2011 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. "That will be done as part of a launch for a new, Hard Rock-branded Vodka that's coming out," said Germain. "There are a lot of good things going on there, and I really think we're onto something. It's something new for NASCAR, and I think we're going to see a lot of good things come out of this program."(Sirius Speedway)(8-23-2011)

Mears and Germain team up for at least 20 races: Casey Mears will run at least 20 races – and possibly the full NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule – for Germain Racing in their #13 Toyota Camry. "We are running Casey in the #13 car for at least 20 races... maybe full season," said team owner Bob Germain via email Tuesday. "(We will run) the first six for sure... then will see where we are in points." Germain Racing fielded its #13 Toyota with GEICO sponsorship for Max Papis/Mears last season. There has been no word on sponsorship for the Mears/Germain tandem.(Sirius Speedway)
SPONSOR? last season Mears said GEICO would be back to sponsor the team in 2011 for 18 races.(FoxSports)(1-19-2011)
UPDATE 2: confirmed that GEICO will be sponsoring the #13 Germain entry for 18 races this year and 18 races in 2012 as well. The team attempted all 36 races in 2010 and GEICO was the sponsor for 20 of those races.(1-20-2011)

the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule for GEICO as the primary sponsor:
2/14 Daytona
2/21 Auto Club Speedway
2/28 Las Vegas
3/7 Atlanta
4/18 Texas
4/25 Talladega
5/8 Darlington
5/22 Charlotte - Sprint Showdown
5/30 Charlotte
6/6 Pocono
6/20 Infineon
7/25 Indianapolis
8/1 Pocono
8/8 Watkins Glen
8/15 Michigan
9/5 Atlanta
10/3 Kansas
10/10 Auto Club Speedway
10/16 Charlotte
10/31 Talladega
added:
11/7 Texas
11/14 Phoenix
11/21 Homestead

GEICO to sponsor Mears for final two races: Initially scheduled to appear as the primary sponsor of the #13 Germain Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry for 18 races during the 2010 season, GEICO's excitement has grown. After Talladega, the insurance giant decided to add the Texas Sprint Cup Series race and then, after the checkered flag was displayed in Fort Worth last weekend, they began contemplating the balance of the season. GEICO announced that they would be picking up primary sponsorship of Casey Mears and the #13 GEICO Camry for the remaining two Sprint Cup Series races, at Phoenix and Homestead. GEICO will also appear as a major associate sponsor on the #30 Toyota Tundra of Todd Bodine, who currently has a firm grasp on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points lead. At Homestead for NASCAR's season finale, the GEICO Gecko will boast a full schedule. Aside from the entries of Mears and Bodine, the charming and exciting 'Mad' Max Papis will join his teammates, as he pilots the #9 GEICO Toyota Tundra in his final Truck Series race of the season before embarking on a full-time Truck Series schedule in 2011.(GEICO Racing)(11-11-2010)

Mears plans full run in 2011: Casey Mears says he's locked in with Germain Racing for next season. GEICO Insurance will sponsor the #13 Toyota for 18 races in 2011, but the team is currently searching for additional sponsorship. "We're going to run all the races," Mears said. "Honestly, I've been impressed with (crew chief Robert "Bootie" Barker) and the guys. They build fast race cars."(FoxSports)(9-19-2010)

Mears to take over the #13 ride: Beginning with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on September 5th, NASCAR star Casey Mears will slide behind the wheel of the #13 GEICO Toyota. Mears will be entered as the driver of the #13 GEICO Camry in the seven remaining GEICO sponsored races in the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The 2011 season will feature Mears and the Gecko in the #13 Germain Racing entry at 18 events. "I'm excited at the opportunity to drive the #13 GEICO Camry for Germain Racing," Mears said. "It's a great opportunity and I believe with all the hard work that Germain Racing has put into their Cup program, as well as our relationship with Michael Waltrip Racing, that we'll be able to do good things. I've known Bootie Barker (crew chief) for a long time, so I think we'll work well together. I'm ready to get to work and do a good job for GEICO."
Max Papis, who has occupied the seat of the #13 GEICO Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will take a new opportunity to race full-time in NASCAR. Papis will be piloting the #9 GEICO Toyota Tundra full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series beginning in 2011. The effort is fielded by Germain Racing. Papis will turn his attention to the #9 GEICO Toyota Tundra effective immediately beginning this week in Bristol. In addition, Papis will compete in three additional races of the remaining 2010 Camping World Truck Series season in an effort to lay a solid foundation heading into 2011.(Geico Racing)(8-19-2010)

Mears replacing Papis? UPDATE: As for Casey Mears, a source close to his situation said that he likely will replace Max Papis in the Germain Racing #13 car no later than the Atlanta race at the end of the month. He will drive for the team, which has a half-season sponsorship from GEICO, in 2011 as well. The team, which has gone to every race this year but not run the full event at venues where it is unsponsored, needs sponsorship for 18 races in 2011.(Scene Daily)(8-9-2010)
UPDATE: Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has confirmed that Casey Mears will replace Max Papis in the #13 Germain Racing GEICO Sprint Cup Series Toyota, beginning at Atlanta Motor Speedway on September 5. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a source close to the team said the deal will be completed and contracts signed within the next 48 hours. The car will "start and park" at both Michigan and Bristol with drivers TBA, before Mears takes over at Atlanta. He will also drive the car in the full 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. Papis, meanwhile, will run the full NASCAR Camping World Truck Series slate next season in a GEICO-sponsored Toyota, also out of the Germain Racing stable.(Sirius Speedway)(8-9-2010)
UPDATE: Germain Racing's Max Papis expects to remain a GEICO-sponsored driver but whether he competes in another full Sprint Cup race with the sponsor this year remains to be seen. Casey Mears is expected to replace Papis in the #13 Germain Racing car in the Sprint Cup Series for the next sponsored race in September at Atlanta. The insurance company also is expected to sponsor Mears for a part-time Cup schedule in 2011. Papis could end up in the Camping World Truck Series with GEICO sponsorship. The company has sponsored him for 18 Cup races this year, and Papis has been to the rest of the races to start-and-park. "It would benefit a lot for me to run a full season, and that's what GEICO wants," Papis said Saturday at Michigan International Speedway, where he made the Cup race but doesn't plan to run the full event Sunday. "We're working to make that happen. I don't know what that will mean on the Cup side. That's only what I know right now. If I could run a full season, it would help quite a bit. It will not be in the Cup series."(Scene Daily)(8-15-2010)

Valvoline partners with Germain Racing: Valvoline, one of the leading brands of automotive lubricants, announced that it has entered into a technical partnership with Germain Racing and Germain Motor Company, a top-25 automotive dealership network with headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. Valvoline motor oil will be the official motor oil of both entities as well as a team sponsor for Germain Racing entries in NASCAR's three series -- Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck -- and the K&N Pro East Series. The driver lineup for Germain Racing includes Max Papis (Sprint Cup), Michael Annett (Nationwide), Todd Bodine (Camping World Truck) and Zach Germain (Pro East). The agreement calls for Valvoline to be an associate sponsor at all races Germain Racing enters and a primary sponsor at two truck races and two Nationwide races. The truck races with Valvoline primary sponsorship will be Aug. 18 at Bristol and Nov. 5 at Texas. The Nationwide primary-sponsored races will be Sept. 4 at Atlanta and Oct. 15 at Charlotte. The Valvoline/Germain Racing partnership will commence this weekend with Valvoline associate sponsorship on Bodine's #30 Tundra in Friday night's truck race at Texas Motor Speedway. Bodine is the points leader in the Camping World Truck Series with six top-five finishes in seven starts. Germain Racing joins Roush Fenway Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports as Valvoline's NASCAR partners.(Valvoline)(6-4-2010)

Parts confiscated from #13 and #47 teams UPDATE 2 Penalties announced: NASCAR confiscated the lower radiator pans from Max Papis' #13 Toyota and Marcos Ambrose's #47 Toyota during post-qualifying Sprint Cup Series inspection. The pans are considered "unapproved ballast weight mounting" according to Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby and is in violation of NASCAR Rule 20-2.3 (added car weight). Darby said the violation could carry a penalty. The piece confiscated on the #13 Toyota was 45.2-pounds, while the #47 Toyota's pan weighed 25.7 pounds. One crew chief who was observing the steel pieces in the NASCAR hauler after they were confiscated said the pans "should weigh a couple of pounds at best" and be composed of one-eighth inch aluminum. Frank Kerr, crew chief of the #47 Toyota said it was the same radiator pan the team has used all season. "We asked the inspectors when we first put it on the car at California if it was 'OK' and they said it was 'on the edge, but OK.' There hasn't been any question about the piece until now."(FoxSports)(4-17-2010)
UPDATE: The long steel pieces also were installed in an unapproved mounting location, according to the tags on the parts which were on display in the NASCAR hauler. "We'll know a lot more how NASCAR views these pans [next week]," said Michael Waltrip Racing Executive Vice President Cal Wells, whose organization builds the cars for Ambrose and Papis. "We'll have to wait and see. NASCAR likes to have parts submitted if you have got something new or different. I believe there was some confusion on what should or shouldn't be submitted. … In this particular case what we designed was a modular piece that holds a radiator, the pan up front and the duct work and a host of different things. There's no intent to do anything [around the rules]. We'll see what they decide to do."(SceneDaily)(4-19-2010)
UPDATE: NASCAR has issued penalties to the #13, #47, #00 and #56 teams that compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as a result of rule violations committed at Texas Motor Speedway last week. Robert “Bootie” Barker, crew chief of the #13 team, and Frank Kerr, crew chief of the #47 team, have each been fined $75,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31 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 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rule book.
Car owners Robert Germain (#13) and Tad Geschickter (#47) have each been penalized with the loss of 50 championship owner points for violating Sections 12-1 and 20-2.3A. Drivers Max Papis (#13) and Marcos Ambrose (#47) have each been penalized with the loss of 50 championship driver points for violating Sections 12-1 and 20-2.3A.
Rodney Childers, crew chief of the #00 team, and Pat Tryson, crew chief of the #56 team, have each been fined $25,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31 for violating Sections 12-1; 20-7; and 20-7.3A. All of these violations occurred during post-qualifying inspection on April 16.(NASCAR)(4-21-2010)
MWR Statement: Executive Vice President of Michael Waltrip Racing Cal Wells: “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. This gives us a clear line of sight on how parts need to be submitted for approval. We will work diligently with NASCAR in the future on all new parts to ensure this does not happen to MWR again.”(MWR)(4-21-2010)

Papis to run Daytona 500, sets 2010 schedule: Last weekend, Max Papis spent his days and nights behind the wheel of the #01 Grand-Am Series entry for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. He pushed the car to the lead before surrendering it after a double-stint on Saturday night. He would then climb back in the car early Sunday morning, driving an unprecedented four stints. After pacing the Daytona road course for an astonishing three hours and fifty minutes, he turned the car over to teammate Scott Pruett. The Ganassi team would ultimately record a second place finish in the Rolex 24, which is regarded as one of the top races in the world. Papis prepares to begin his second season in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition in the #13 GEICO Toyota Camry for Germain Racing at Daytona International Speedway this week when he returns for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice and qualifying. In addition to his duties in the #13 GEICO Camry, Papis will also pilot the #9 GEICO Toyota Tundra in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 12th. Papis is scheduled to run 20 Sprint Cup Series races in 2010, including the Sprint Showdown in Charlotte.(GEICO Racing PR)(2-5-2010)

Most NASCAR drivers don't fare well in Rolex 24: Full-time NASCAR drivers were shut out from the winner’s circle and even podium finishes Sunday at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The 24-hour race was won by the Porsche of Action Express Racing driven by Joao Barbosa, Terry Borcheller, Mike Rockenfeller and Ryan Dalziel. They finished 50 seconds ahead of Chip Ganassi Racing’s car driven by Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas as well as Germain Racing part-time Cup driver Max Papis and IndyCar Series driver Justin Wilson. Ganassi’s other car – co-driven by his Cup drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Jamie McMurray as well as his IndyCar Series drivers Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon – blew an engine while leading less than nine hours into the event at Daytona. About half the field did not finish the race, including four-time defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson as his Bob Stallings Racing car had an oil pump issue and retired with about four hours remaining. Richard Petty Motorsports had two drivers in the field. AJ Allmendinger drove for Michael Shank Racing and was in third when his engine blew less than two hours prior to the finish and the team had to settle for seventh. Paul Menard drove for Spirit of Daytona Racing, which retired before the halfway point and wound up 32nd. Roush Fenway Racing Nationwide Series driver Colin Braun had the best day of the NASCAR contingent as he was part of the fourth-place Krohn Racing team. TRG Motorsports’ Bobby Labonte drove one of the team cars and was leading before running out of fuel and having to be towed back to the pits with about five hours remaining. Other mechanical issues plagued the team, which finished 16th overall, ninth in the Grand Touring class. Part-time Cup driver Boris Said was part of a Turner Motorsport team that finished 15th overall, eighth in the GT class.(Scene Daily)(2-1-2010)

Drivers Test at New Smyrna: Tuesday Marcos Ambrose tested his #47 Kroger NASCAR at the half-mile high-banked New Smyrna Speedway. Preparing for his second full-time season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, the Australian driver shared the track today with #13-Max Papis, #00-David Reutimann and #5-Martin Truex Jr. It's the first time Ambrose has been in a car in over two months. "I just want to dust off the cobwebs," said Ambrose.(MarcosAmbrose.com)(1-27-2010)

Papis to run limited Sprint Cup schedule, but with a twist: In an interview of driver Max Papis, who drove the #13 GEICO Toyota for Germain Racing in 15 Sprint Cup races in 2009 [attempted to make 21], at a German racing website: Motorsport-Total.com, Papis said he would again run 20 Sprint Cup races in 2010 but plan to attempt most of the races, some as a start-and-park [make the race, start the race, park the car before the first pit stop], GEICO returns as the sponsor. Some quotes, translated by the author Pete Fink.
About NASCAR and 2009: "For me, NASCAR has been so far the most challenging competition I've ever had. When you look at the average position of qualifying, what other people like Sam Hornish did in the beginning, we are on pace. We did a pretty good job. We finished in the top-20 in Talladega, we had a top-10-finish on the roadcourses. So I would say, it was a season of ups and downs."
About the pressure of qualifying: "It is not difficult, it is extremely difficult. One of the most difficult things I've done so far. It is not only, that I have such a little time to learn the racetrack. When I run five laps in practice, before we are going to qualifying-trim, that means, you are two or three minutes on the racetrack. And that's it. And then you have the pressure to perform on one lap only. With very different track conditions and different griplevels to what you have practiced. You go out on the track, you go through 3 and 4 as hard as you can, and if you don't make it, you go home."
About 2010 and the Daytona 500: "We gonna run the Daytona 500 this year and I'm very excited about that. We plan to run 20 Cup-Races, 8 Truck-Races and hopefully a little bit more."
About Start-and-Park: "At the beginning of the season, the team plans to put me on a start-and-park-situation. We will show up on the races, that are not scheduled, try to qualify, but we have a limited budget, so we are not gonna be able to race the race. That will give me the tracktime, that I don't have. So we will use some of this races as tests, that we get to know the tracks better and get more prepared."
About P43 in the ownerpoints: "That is the other the reason, why we are doing this. If there is a rainout and we have enough attempts, than we do not go home."
About European sponsorship: "My goal is opening the door for European companies to NASCAR. I really want to do that. I want to let people know more and more, how good it is for sponsors and how much exposure you can get."
About Jimmie Johnson: "Jimmie is a friend of mine. I know Jimmie since 1995, a lot before he started to drive for Mr. Hendrick, when he was just an off-road-racer. Hendrick is the Ferrari or McLaren of NASCAR. Mainly because of the incredible quality of the people they have. Jimmie has a tremendous talent. Jimmie is one of the drivers, that are born just every ten years."
About Danica Patrick: "I wish for the sport, that she will make it. It would be good for the sport, to have a girl running and Danica has a lot of following. For sure she is doing it in the right way with a top-team like JR Motorsports that is basically Hendrick Motorsports. But doing it part-time, I don't think, that's the right way doing it. NASCAR is a lifestyle and you need to live and breathe this kind of work, to be able to be competitive. My suggestion to Danica would be: If you really want to do it, just dedicate yourself onto that."
See the full interview/article, in German, at Motorsport-Total.com or see the English version translated at Google(1-18-2010)

Max Papis’ 2009 tentative 20/22 race schedule:
Las Vegas - 3/1
Texas - 4/5
Talladega - 4/26
Darlington - 5/9
All-Star Race - 5/16
Charlotte - 5/24
Dover - 5/31
Michigan - 6/14
Sonoma - 6/21
Daytona - 7/4
Indianapolis - 7/26
Watkins Glen - 8/9
Bristol - 8/22
Atlanta - 9/6
Richmond - 9/12
Kansas - 10/4
California - 10/11
Charlotte - 10/17
Talladega - 11/1
Texas - 11/8
Phoenix - 11/15
Homestead - 11/22

Bootie to remain with Papis rest of 2009: On Tuesday [9-15] #13-Max Papis told Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 128, Sirius Speedway radio show that former Michael Waltrip Racing crewchief Robert "Bootie" Barker will be working on his racecar for the remainder of the 2009 season. "Bootie works for MWR, and our team is obviously affiliated with them," said Papis. "They have been kind enough to let us use him for the remainder of the season, and he will be working with Ryan Coniam and the GEICO team to try and make us better."(9-16-2009)

Bootie back on the pit box: Bootie Barker, replaced as #55-Michael Waltrip's crew after Bristol by Gene Nead, is back in the Sprint Cup garage as a crew chief. Barker remains with Michael Waltrip Racing and is on loan to #13-Max Papis and Germain Racing. Recall that Germain Racing and MWR have a technical alliance.(Virginian Pilot), no word on what is up with Peter Sospenzo, who was named as the #13 crew chief in June.(9-5-2009)

Papis to take a week off: After an 8th place finish at Watkins Glen, Max Papis and the GEICO Racing team will take a week off before reporting to Bristol , TN , for double duty. Papis and the Germain Racing team will battle the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regulars on Wednesday night, August 19th before attempting to qualify for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race two days later at Bristol Motor Speedway.(GEICO Racing)(8-12-2009)

Testing at Road Atlanta: Hearing that drivers testing at Road Atlanta today include #99-Carl Edwards, #6-David Ragan, #16-Colin Braun (subbing for Greg Biffle), #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, #47-Marcos Ambrose, #2-Kurt Busch, #77-Sam Hornish Jr., #12-David Stremme, #13-Max Papis and Boris Said (in John Wes Townley's #09 Nationwide Series Ford which he will run at Watkins Glen).(7-21-2009)
AND: told #7-Robby Gordon was also at the track.(7-21-2009)