Germain Racing announced Monday (Sept. 21) it has sold its NASCAR Cup Series charter for 2021. The move means the No. 13 team will close at the end of the year after more than a decade at the sport’s top level.
The move was first announced through the team’s Twitter page.
Statement from Bob Germain on the future of Germain Racing: pic.twitter.com/3TbVwyfzRZ
— Germain Racing (@GermainRacing) September 22, 2020
“Being an owner in NASCAR for the last 16 years has been a thrilling adventure,” Germain said in a release announcing the move. “From winning two NASCAR Truck Series championships in 2006 and 2010 to competing at the highest level of motorsports in the Cup Series for the last 12 seasons, I have experienced the highs and lows of our sport.
“I’m extremely proud of what Germain Racing has accomplished at every level and I will be transitioning out of ownership with many memories and friendships. I appreciate the interest and offers made over the last couple of weeks and I am excited to see how the sport continues to grow in the future.”
Germain’s No. 13 Chevrolet has been driven by Ty Dillon over the past four years. He’s currently 28th in the Cup standings with just one top-10 finish, a 10th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway back in February. Dillon is now officially a free agent as the No. 13 team itself will close after the 2020 season.
Germain first competed in the Truck Series back in 2004. He rose up to win two championships with Todd Bodine (2006 & 2010) before shutting down the team after the 2011 season. Germain also ran a NASCAR Xfinity Series program from 2008-2010 with Mike Wallace and Michael Annett as its drivers.
Over 12 years in Cup, Germain has not won and posted only two top-five finishes in 418 career starts, earning a best finish of fourth (twice, Daytona, 2014 & 2019). His No. 13 team first partnered with Max Papis in 2009 before running Casey Mears and Dillon for most of its Cup existence.
The No. 13 charter has been purchased by the new Toyota team run by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, announced at the same time as the Germain charter sale. What’s less certain is what will happen to the team’s equipment although Germain does have a longstanding chassis and engine partnership with Richard Childress Racing.
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