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 Todd 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.
Terry Labonte
DRIVING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Two-time Nascar Cup champion. 22 Cup Series wins. Two-time Southern 500 winner.
LAST HURRAH: After several years of disappointing results, “Texas Terry” bounced back with a win in the 2003 Southern 500 and a tenth-place finish in that year’s points standings.
FINAL YEAR(S): After one last full-time season in 2004 (which saw him finish outside the top-20 in his final ten races) “The Ice Man” would go on to embark on a lengthy part-time career. Buoyed by his past champion’s provisional, Labonte raced for teams of declining quality from 2005 through 2014, and after 2006 was not a serious threat to contend.
DID HE HANG ON TOO LONG?: Yes. As a full-time driver 2003 would have been the perfect time to “ride off into the sunset”. As a part-time driver, his 2006 third-place finish at Sonoma would have been the best time to hang it up.