Andy Santerre of Cherryfield said it was “time for me to sit back and take a different role.”

So Santerre has decided to pass up a run for a fifth straight Busch North Series points championship next season in order to focus on managing the Grizco Racing Team.

He handled both roles for the three-car team last season.

“I’m ready to take a year off [from driving] and see how I can do in the management role. If I miss it, I can always come back,” said Santerre.

The 39-year-old Santerre said they didn’t have a sponsor for his No. 44 Chevy Monte Carlo last season, so Steve Griswold, who owns the team with his wife Peg, footed the bill in order to allow him to run.

They won’t run the No. 44 without sponsorship next season, but Santerre said, “We’ve had a bunch of drivers apply, and they have money behind them. Hopefully, it will work out.”

Mike Stefanik, who finished second in points, will return full time in the No. 55 Burnham Boilers car, and Brad Leighton will be back in the No. 25 Irving Oil/Mainway car on a part-time basis. Santerre indicated they expect to put other drivers in the No. 25 when Leighton isn’t available.

Santerre will cut back on his time in the shop during the week to devote more time to administrative duties.

But he will spend more time at the track on race day “making sure they’re all dialed in. I’m going to make sure it’s more of a team effort.”

He will also coordinate the sharing of information between the teams.

“Hopefully, that will benefit all three teams,” said Santerre.

He feels it will be good for the series, which will be called Busch East next year, to have a new champion next year and he would like it to be a Grizco driver.

He added that if they can turn a profit, he would like to eventually become a part owner of the team.