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 Brett Bodine’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.
Fred Lorenzen
LAST HURRAH: “The Elmhurst Express” returned to Nascar after a two-year hiatus in late 1970. In 1971 Lorenzen posted six top-five race finishes in only fourteen starts.
FINAL YEAR(S): In 1972 Lorenzen again showed speed, posting three top-five race finishes in just eight Cup Series starts. He would leave the sport after that season.
DID HE HANG ON TOO LONG?: No. Lorenzen’s career is a bit tougher to judge since he never ran a full-season, but while he didn’t post any wins in his comeback, his excellent race finishes showed that he hadn’t lost much of anything.