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 David Ragan’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.
Curtis Turner
DRIVING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: “The Babe Ruth of Stock Car Racing”. 17 Cup Series wins. 1956 Southern 500 winner. 1950 Cup Series wins leader. Only driver to win a race in which he was the last car running.
LAST HURRAH: After a four-year ban for trying to unionize Nascar, Turner was reinstated in 1965 with the hopes that his popularity would reinvigorate a sport hampered by deaths, early retirements, and manufacturer boycotts. He would post a win in his first year back.
FINAL YEAR(S): Turner would continue to race on a limited schedule through 1968, remaining competitive—four of his last five starts were top-ten finishes. He would die in a plane crash shortly after leaving the sport.
DID HE HANG ON TOO LONG?: No. Forced from the sport, he came back after losing several prime years and showed he could still run up front.