Unlike other sports, Nascar can see drivers compete well into their 50’s. While this allows for some pretty cool stories and added fan memories, it also can lend itself to some drivers staying active well past their prime.
With Jimmie Johnson being just the latest driver to announce his retirement from Nascar (effective the end of the 2020 season), I wanted to take a look at drivers who voluntarily retired from the sport to see if they hung on too long or left at just the right time (or maybe even a little too soon). By “voluntary retirement” that means I’m not including anyone who was killed or seriously injured while driving.
Instead of looking at EVERY driver (even though interest in an analysis of Stuart Kirby’s latter years could be quite high) I’m limiting it to Hall of Fame inductees—for now.
(Drivers listed in order of their Hall of Fame induction)
NOTE: Those inducted primarily or exclusively for achievements outside of driving (team ownership, crew chiefing, etc.) will not be considered. Cup performance is all that’s considered for this piece. Also, the more modern term “Cup Series” will be used instead of Grand National, Winston Cup, etc.
Ned Jarrett
DRIVING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Two-time Cup Series champion. 50 Cup Series wins. 1965 Southern 500 win had the largest margin of victory in Nascar history.
LAST HURRAH: “Gentleman Ned” won the Cup Series championship for a second time in 1965, which would wind up being his final full-time season.
FINAL YEAR(S): Jarrett returned to the sport on a part-time schedule in 1966. Concerns about driver safety, combined with Ford’s impending departure from the sport, would see him retire as a driver shortly before the end of the season, making him the only reigning Nascar Cup champion to retire as such. He’d later go on to forge a successful second career as a broadcaster.
DID HE HANG ON TOO LONG?: Obviously not. While Ford’s departure would’ve likely meant a manufacturer change (or a move to an independent team), Jarrett likely still had plenty of good years in him on-track.