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 Phil Parsons’ 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.
Darrell Waltrip
DRIVING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Three-time Nascar Cup champion. 84 Cup Series wins. 1989 Daytona 500 champion. 1992 Southern 500 winner. Inaugural winner of Nascar’s “Winston” All-Star Race. Considered to be the next evolution of the “modern driver” combining on-track success with media and business savvy.
LAST HURRAH: Although Waltrip’s last race wins came in 1992 he remained a contender (despite a switch to in-house engines at his self-owned race team), finishing ninth in points in 1994.
FINAL YEAR(S): Waltrip fell out of contention in the mid-90’s and his team would become defunct early in the 1998 season. He would have a brief resurgence running as a substitute for old rival Dale Earnhardt’s team before rejoining his old team, now under new management. Finally, he would spend his final two years struggling to qualify for races with Haas-Carter Motorsports before retiring and moving into broadcasting.
DID HE HANG ON TOO LONG?: Absolutely. One can’t help but wonder how DW’s reputation would’ve been improved had he left the drivers’ seat after the 1994 season, or even after his handful of races for Dale Earnhardt.