JANUARY, 2009 - PAPIS MAKES GOOD ON PROMISE TO HIS FATHER

CONCORD, N.C. | Three years ago, Max Papis made his dying father a promise. Papis told him that some day he would become the first Italian driver to compete in NASCAR.

Papis made good on the promise - technically - since then as he picked up a handful of part-time gigs in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide series.

This coming season, the promise to his father will come true on a more permanent basis. Papis, a native of Como, Italy, will drive in at least 18 races for Germain Racing in the Sprint Cup series. He also will be eligible for the 2009 Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award.

Papis was overjoyed when he talked recently about his first real NASCAR job.

"This is huge," he said. "This is what I have been waiting for all my life."

Papis' racing life has been long and varied.

He drove in the Formula One series a bit. He drove in Champ Car and IndyCar as well. He's had his best success in sports cars when he landed on the podium at Le Mans, and won at Daytona 24 and Sebring. He's even been in a television commercial with the GEICO caveman.

Now he embarks on "the greatest challenge of my career" - Sprint Cup.

Job No. 1, he said, will not be attaining trophies and checks. It will be attaining respect in the garages and, even more important, in the grandstands.

"I'm going to make this work," he said. "I have to show that I am not one of those guys trying something else who just pops in. I want people to read through my accent and see that I have the passion to make it happen."

Papis said he took the first steps to winning over the NASCAR driving establishment last November at Homestead Miami Speedway. After coming up short in qualifying for the season-ending Sprint Cup race, his phone lit up with a text message.

It was from Mark Martin. The message was simple.

"He said keep pounding," Papis said.

No problem.

Germain will be in Sprint Cup this year with an assist from Michael Waltrip Racing. Germain will use Waltrip Toyotas.

Germain has had some success in the Camping World Trucks and Nationwide series. Hung on the walls of the shop are photos of some of its drivers. The team attempted to add Papis' photo to the lineup.

Don't do it, Papis said.

"When I get my first top 10, then we can put my picture up," he said.

Papis said he desperately wants his first victory to come on an oval because he feels a need to show that he is not just a road-racing ringer. He wants to be known the way one of his heroes - Mario Andretti - is known, as a complete driver.