When Germain Racing was formed in 2004, Zach Germain saw his father, Steve Germain, and uncles Bob Germain and Rick Germain embark on an exciting adventure. He traveled to different NASCAR race tracks and enjoyed cheering for the family's successful race team. All the while, Zach Germain remained focused on his studies at Miami University and on preparing to be a part of the other family business…the
top-25 automotive retail network Germain Motor Company.
"With automotive sales being our family business, I've been around a lot of cars in my life and I always thought that cars would be my life—I just didn't know they would be race cars," said the 25 year-old Columbus, OH, native, who began racing four years ago and has built a strong Germain-family fan base led by parents Kim and Steve, siblings Jessica and Austin, uncles Bob and Rick and aunt Susan Germain Maahs, who is the manager of Germain Properties of Naples.
Zach Germain completed his Bachelor's studies at Miami University of Ohio and decided to slide behind the wheel of a race car just to see if it was as fun as it looked.
"When I got the urge to race, it couldn't have been a better situation. The guys at Germain Racing were behind me from the start. Todd Bodine and Mike Hillman Sr. insisted I have safe equipment and they kept an open line of communication with me from when I started in a Legends car through my move to a super late model. To drive for Germain Racing is an opportunity that many veteran race drivers never get, so to say I'm thrilled is a huge understatement," said Germain.
Germain comes into the driver's seat at Germain Racing with a studious attitude and complete commitment to the team effort behind the No. 24 Germain.com Camry.
"I've been working at the race shop every day with our crew. The overall process of getting the race cars ready to go to the track is unbelievable.
It's hard to imagine it without actually being in the race shop with the guys. I have learned so much since we kicked off this program," explained Germain, who has been building crush panels, working on his car's interior and even assembling the team's tool box.
Germain will work with crew chief Mike Abner under close supervision from general manager Mike Hillman Sr.
"Steve and Kim (Germain) sent Zach to us and told us not to give him any special treatment. They wanted Zach to be 'one of the guys' here at the shop and to learn all he can about driving his race car. Zach has done all of that on his own," explained Hillman. "Mike Abner and the crew will be sure Zach is driving the best race car in the field, but Zach has really embraced working with the crew and he's shown that he learns very fast and can adapt really well to changes in the car."
Clearly the goal for the No. 24 Germain.com Camry team is to get the most experience possible - which means completing as many laps of racing as possible.
"We want to complete every lap this year. That's not an easy goal, but it's one we can achieve. Of course I really want to win and I know our No. 24 Germain.com Camry will be capable of that, but the goal this season is getting seat time," said Germain.
Germain Racing will field the No. 24 Germain.com Camry for the entire K&N Pro Series East season, possibly adding K&N Pro Series West and late model races to the schedule. Sponsorship and branding opportunities are available with the No. 24 Germain.com Camry. Visit www.GermainRacing.com for more information.
...Fast Facts...
Zach Germain, age 25, was raised in Columbus, Ohio Germain first raced a Legends car at age 21 Zach is the middle child of three children born to Steve and Kim Germain.
Jessica is his older sister and Austin is his younger brother In 2009, Germain competed in a super late model at Columbus Motor Speedway Radio communication and mirrors are not permitted in the super late model division at Columbus Motor Speedway Mike Abner has been with Germain Racing since 2007. In his first crew chief assignment, he led the No. 9 Tundra to victory at Texas Motor Speedway Germain Racing has won two or more races each year in the Truck Series since its first race in 2004. The team has 18 wins, seven pole awards and one Truck Series championship Germain Racing has competed for two full seasons in the NASCAR Nationwide Series where the team has finished in the top-ten in championship points for two consecutive years Germain Racing competed in its first partial-schedule NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season in 2009 and earned a top-ten finish in its eighth race Germainracing.com offers news and information about the championship team as well as links to driver websites and sponsorship information Follow on Twitter @GermainRacing or @ZachGermain or be a fan of Germain Racing on Facebook
