Germain Racing states that car owner Bob Germain “is exploring conversations for a potential sale” as the team ponders its 2021 plans.
The team issued a statement Tuesday in response to its 2021 plans, stating: “At this time, anything is on the table. Germain Racing does not have a signed sponsorship contract for 2021 and Bob Germain is exploring conversations for a potential sale.”
Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass first reported Germain Racing’s statement.
GEICO’s sponsorship deal with the team ends after this season. The sponsorship evolved from 2008 in the Xfinity Series. GEICO is one of NASCAR’s Premier Partners, joining Busch Beer, Coca-Cola and Xfinity.
Germain Racing debuted in the Cup Series in 2009 with Max Papis running a partial schedule. In 2010, Papis and Casey Mears ran a majority of the season. Ty Dillon joined the team in 2017. His best career finish is fourth at the July 2019 Daytona race with the team. Dillon is 27th in points this season entering Sunday’s Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (6 p.m. ET on NBCSN).
Dillon spoke in late August about the challenges facing single-car teams in Cup.
“The model is very tough right now for single-car teams,” he said. “I’m hoping that NASCAR is going to change it and help on it. But it needs to change for one-car teams to be more successful that haven’t already been at the top level of the sport or have an incredible about of money to leapfrog into the top spot. If you don’t have three or four teams to spread the wealth with big name sponsors and a lot of money behind the effort, it’s just not a model that’s going to survive long term.”
Germain Racing has a Cup charter.
Former driver Justin Marks stated in August that he is starting a new team with plans to compete as early as 2021. Marks has 79 career starts in Cup, Xfinity and Trucks. He won the Mid-Ohio Xfinity race in 2016.
Spire Motorsports has purchased Leavine Family Racing this summer. Spire Motorsports will acquire Leavine Family Racing’s assets, including the team’s charter and race shop, after this season.