Ty Dillon to drive for Germain Racing in 2017

Ty Dillon waits in the garage area before practice. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ty Dillon will race full time in NASCAR’s top series next year for Germain Racing.

Germain Racing announced Monday that Dillon will replace Casey Mears in the No. 13 Chevrolet. Mears had driven the car since the second half of the 2010 season.

Dillon has made 18 Cup starts over the last three years. Robert "Bootie" Barker will return as the team’s crew chief in 2017, and GEICO will be back as the primary sponsor.

The Germain team shares a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing. Ty Dillon is Childress’ grandson, and his older brother, Austin, drives for RCR.

Mears has one career Cup victory, the 2007 Coca-Cola 600 while he drove for Hendrick Motorsports.

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