Papis to race Cup with Germain

The Italian has signed a multi-year deal with the team, to enter eighteen races next season driving the No. 13 Toyota with technical support from Michael Waltrip Racing. He will also enter two races this season, the first one at Texas plus the season finale at Homestead.

Papis had been working on a deal to race in NASCAR for a long time. He has been a test driver for Hendrick Motorsports for the past two years, and this year he has made a few starts for Rusty Wallace in the Nationwide Series and also for Haas CNC Racing in the Sprint Cup road-course events.

GEICO, an insurance company that has been sponsoring Mike Wallace's drive with Germain Racing in NASCAR's second-tier series, will switch to Cup backing Papis, due to a conflict with title sponsor Nationwide, also an insurance company.

"This is a dream come true," Papis said. "My family and I have been working on this for the last five years and I'm proud that it's happening with GEICO. We share the same passion for life, integrity and moral character, and I'm looking forward to this great new chapter of my life."

"I will give all I have in my heart to make our program successful and I'm proud to be a part of their Racing family. It also brings me great pride to have the opportunity to represent my native country Italy in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series."

Despite his extensive experience in ovals while driving IndyCar machinery, next weekend's outing will be Papis' second ever in an oval in NASCAR. Two years ago he drove for John McGill at Texas in the Nationwide Series but he crashed out of the event.

He will have to qualify on time both next weekend and also at Homestead.